Book of the Month – October 2023

“I’m thrilled that the first book in our Leading at a Higher Level series is with Garry Ridge, president of WD-40 Company. For years I’ve been concerned about how people’s performance is evaluated. People are often forced into a normal distribution curve, or even worse, rank ordered. Not only does this not build trust, it also does not hold managers responsible for coaching people and helping them win. The manager’s responsibility is focused on sorting people out.

When I was a college professor, I always gave my students the final exam at the beginning of the course and spent the rest of the semester helping them answer the questions so that they could get an A. Life is all about getting As, not some stupid normal distribution curve. Garry Ridge got this, and wow! What a difference it has made in WD-40
Company’s performance.”

–Ken Blanchard

“When I first heard Ken talk about giving his final exam at the beginning of the course and then teaching students the answers so they could get an A, it blew me away. Why don’t we do that in business? So that’s exactly what I did at WD-40 Company when we set up our ‘Don’t Mark My Paper, Help Me Get an A’ performance management system. Has it made a difference? You’d better believe it. Ever since we began the system, our company’s annual sales have more than tripled, from $100 million to more than $339 million. And we’ve accomplished this feat while making the company a great place to work.”

–Garry Ridge

In the dynamic landscape of contemporary business, where success is not just a goal but a continuous journey, Ken Blanchard and Garry Ridge offer a transformative approach in their collaborative work, “Helping People Win at Work.” This book introduces a profound business philosophy encapsulated in the mantra, “Don’t Mark My Paper, Help Me Get an A.”

Ken Blanchard, renowned for his leadership insights, and Garry Ridge, the CEO of WD-40 Company, combine their expertise to present a groundbreaking perspective on fostering individual and collective success in the workplace. Unlike traditional managerial approaches, their philosophy advocates for a shift from merely evaluating performance to actively participating in the development of each team member.

At the core of the book lies the metaphorical “A,” representing excellence and achievement. The authors argue that true leadership involves empowering individuals to reach their highest potential. Instead of merely assessing results, leaders are encouraged to engage in a collaborative process of mentorship, guidance, and support to help employees excel in their roles.

Blanchard and Ridge draw upon real-world examples and their extensive experience to illustrate how this philosophy can be applied across various organizational settings. From creating a positive work culture to developing meaningful relationships between leaders and team members, the book provides practical insights into transforming workplaces into thriving hubs of innovation and productivity.

“Helping People Win at Work” is not just a management guide; it is a call to action for leaders at all levels to adopt a more participatory and human-centric approach to leadership. By focusing on the growth and development of individuals, the authors contend that organizations can create a sustainable framework for success in an ever-evolving business landscape.

Whether you are a seasoned executive, a middle manager, or an aspiring leader, this book serves as a roadmap for creating a workplace culture where everyone is inspired to achieve their best. Through the “Don’t Mark My Paper, Help Me Get an A” philosophy, Blanchard and Ridge present a compelling case for a new paradigm of leadership that not only drives organizational success but also enriches the lives of those within the workplace.

Blanchard and Ridge’s collaborative work, “Helping People Win at Work,” introduces a transformative business philosophy encapsulated in the mantra “Don’t Mark My Paper, Help Me Get an A.” The authors, drawing on their wealth of experience, challenge traditional leadership norms by advocating for a shift from evaluative to developmental mentorship. The metaphorical “A” symbolizes excellence, representing a departure from conventional performance appraisal models in favor of leaders actively contributing to their team members’ growth and achievement.

The book’s strength lies in its practicality, offering real-world examples to illustrate the seamless integration of the philosophy into diverse organizational settings. It not only provides tangible insights into creating positive work cultures but also challenges leaders at all levels to reconsider their role in fostering workplace excellence. Accessible and engaging, the writing style ensures broad appeal, making complex leadership concepts comprehensible. “Helping People Win at Work” is not just a management guide; it is a compelling call to action for leaders seeking to create transformative, collaborative environments where both individual and collective success are paramount. In a fast-paced and competitive business landscape, this book is an indispensable resource for those aiming to leave a lasting impact on organizational culture and individual fulfillment.

Ken Blanchard has had an extraordinary impact on the day-to-day management of millions of people and companies. He is the author of several bestselling books, including the blockbuster international bestseller The One Minute Manager® and the giant business bestsellers Leadership and the One Minute Manager, Raving Fans, and Gung Ho! His books have combined sales of more than 18 million copies in more than twenty-five languages. In 2005 Ken was inducted into Amazon’s Hall of Fame as one of the top twenty-five best-selling authors of all time. The College of Business at Grand Canyon University bears his name.

Ken is the chief spiritual officer of The Ken Blanchard Companies, an international management training and consulting firm. He is also coauthor of Lead Like Jesus and cofounder of Lead Like Jesus, a nonprofit organization dedicated to inspiring and equipping people to lead like Jesus.

Garry Ridge is president and chief executive officer of WD-40 Company, headquartered in San Diego, California. WD-40 Company is the maker of the ever-popular WD-40, as well as other household cleaning products. Garry has been with WD-40 since 1987 in various management positions, including executive vice president and chief operating officer and vice president of international. He has worked directly with WD-40 in 50 countries.

A native of Australia, Garry has served as national vice president of the Australian Marketing Institute and the Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association. He received his M.S. degree in executive leadership from the University of San Diego in June 2001. Garry is an adjunct professor at the University of San Diego. He teaches leadership development, talent management, and succession planning in the Master of Science in Executive Leadership program.

In March 2003 Garry was awarded Director of the Year for Enhancement of Economic Value by the Corporate Directors forum. In April 2004 he received the Arthur E. Hughes Career Achievement Award from the University of San Diego. In 2006 Garry was awarded the Ernst & Young Master Entrepreneur Award.