PeopleFirst! with Morag Barrett

We’re thrilled to welcome back Garry Ridge, Chairman Emeritus of WD-40 Company and author of Any Dumb Ass Can Do It. Known for his bold authenticity and signature Aussie wisdom, Garry dives into how embracing “dumbassery” is actually the key to unlocking great leadership, building cultures of belonging, and sending people home happy. With stories ranging from riding a horse in a suit of armor through Times Square to redefining what it means to coach a team, this episode is packed with insight, heart, and humor. 🔑 4 Key Takeaways You Won’t Want to Miss: 02:18 — Vulnerability in Action: Yes, Garry really rode a horse through Times Square. But more importantly, he explains how showing up authentically—even making a spectacle of yourself—can build connection and trust within your team. 06:37 — Dumb Assery as a Superpower: Why the phrase “I don’t know” is one of the most powerful leadership tools—and how embracing your inner “dumb ass” can unlock collective brilliance. 08:52 — From Mistakes to Learning Moments: WD-40’s culture pivoted when they replaced the word “failure” with “learning moments”—creating psychological safety and sparking innovation company-wide. 12:49 — From Boss to Coach: What happens when you ditch the word “manager” and start coaching your people to play their best game? Garry shares how that mindset changed everything at WD-40. 💡 This Episode Is for: Leaders, HR professionals, and anyone looking to lead with more empathy, humility, and results. 🔗 Where to Learn More: * Take the Dumb Assery Quiz and get your free leadership playbook at: www.thelearningmoment.net [http://www.thelearningmoment.net/] * Join Garry’s “School of Dumb Assery” on LinkedIn * And check out his best-selling book: Any Dumb Ass Can Do It

In this episode of the People First Podcast, we sit down with executive coach Dina Denham Smith to explore the power of emotional agility in leadership. Dina shares how leaders can navigate change with confidence, break free from stress patterns, and foster genuine emotional awareness at work. From managing toxic positivity to understanding the mind-body connection, this conversation is filled with actionable insights to help leaders cultivate resilience and authenticity. Here are some key takeaways you won’t want to miss: 07:45 – Navigating change with confidence by recognizing and addressing your emotions. 12:30 – The DARE framework: A practical tool for breaking free from the stress spiral. 18:10 – The impact of hiding, suppressing, and faking emotions at work, and how to handle toxic positivity. 23:50 – The connection between emotions and bodily sensations, and how awareness can help manage emotions effectively. Connect with Dina Smith: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dina-denham-smith [https://www.linkedin.com/in/dina-denham-smith] And... don’t forget to check out our book! You, Me, We: Why We All Need a Friend at Work (and How to Show Up As One!) The hardcover is available now! This book is a heartfelt guide for leaders looking to build deep, meaningful relationships at work, which are the cornerstone of personal and professional success. Get your copy here: https://amzn.to/3NrQulV [https://amzn.to/3NrQuIV]

This week on People First, we’re joined by Dr. Joey Faucette, a culture architect, certified executive coach, and best-selling author of Work Positive in a Negative World: Team Edition. Dr. Joey helps organizations shift from a toxic “Kevin Culture” to a positive work culture that fuels engagement, productivity, and profits. His insights have been featured in The Wall Street Journal, CNBC, Fox Business News, and Entrepreneur Media, and he hosts the Work Positive Podcast. Here are some key takeaways you won’t want to miss: • 03:00 From Pediatric Dreams to Culture Transformation: How Dr. Joey’s early fascination with medicine evolved into a passion for helping organizations create thriving workplaces. • 07:00 What Is a Work-Positive Culture?: Dr. Joey breaks down the five essential practices that help companies grow people and profits. • 10:00 The Power of Mindset: How our thoughts shape our workplace experiences and why leaders must actively guide their teams toward a positive outlook. • 14:00 The Role of Relationships in Workplace Culture: Why choosing the right people to collaborate with has a direct impact on success. • 18:00 Small Hinges Swing Big Doors: Dr. Joey explains how small, intentional actions can lead to massive shifts in culture, innovation, and productivity. • 22:00 The Secret to Belonging at Work: How leaders can foster an environment where employees feel valued, connected, and empowered to do their best work. This episode is filled with practical strategies and deep insights for leaders and teams looking to transform their workplace culture. Dr. Joey’s wisdom will challenge the way you think about work and inspire you to take action. Where to Find Dr. Joey Faucette and Learn More: Visit www.workpositive.today [https://www.workpositive.today/] to explore Dr. Joey’s resources, courses, and books. Connect with him on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/drjoeyfaucette/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjoeyfaucette/] Follow Work Positive on Instagram: @workpositive.today [https://www.instagram.com/workpositive.today/] Watch insights on YouTube: @workpositive7529 [https://www.youtube.com/@workpositive7529] And... don’t forget to check out our book! You, Me, We: Why We All Need a Friend at Work (and How to Show Up As One!) The hardcover is available now! This book is a heartfelt guide for leaders looking to build deep, meaningful relationships at work, which are the cornerstone of personal and professional success. Get your copy here: https://amzn.to/3NrQulV [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbXVsdjV6bnVfTnR1VlNxeldfZDVLOE1lWnE1UXxBQ3Jtc0trcTZ0QnhKN3IyT3FFZ245a3kyNXpBd1N4NW9FSHFoZUFNVng4WlppU1B2U0sydDVzRGVOSDZ0VlBvY2ZQN2Njd0JzNjg1elNzd1RWUDZTN2otZkM3bDRwOXZKdXNGc1J0QlBFWmxjVVNUTldqN2pfTQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Famzn.to%2F3NrQulV&v=d9Itn7la0_E]

This week on People First, we welcome Dave MacDonald, Owner and President of Better Together Group. Built on Zig Ziglar’s philosophy—"If you help enough other people get what they want, you will get what you want"—Better Together Group helps businesses increase productivity and profitability by hiring the right people while ensuring job candidates can feed their families and fulfill their ambitions. Here are some key takeaways you won’t want to miss: * 02:00 From Maple Syrup to People-First Leadership: How managing his family’s farm in Canada shaped Dave’s passion for hiring and team-building. * 05:00 Creating a Relationship-First Culture: Dave shares how businesses can shift from transactional leadership to a people-first mindset. * 08:00 Transparency in Leadership: Why showing vulnerability at work fosters trust and stronger teams. * 12:00 Hiring for Culture Fit: Dave explains why character and values matter just as much—if not more—than skills in the hiring process. * 15:00 Healthy Turnover: How leaders can embrace employee transitions, support their career growth, and maintain strong alumni relationships. * 21:00 Work That Feeds Families: The mission behind Better Together Group and how Dave’s journey fuels his drive to help blue-collar workers find fulfilling jobs. This episode is packed with wisdom for leaders, business owners, and HR professionals looking to build stronger teams and create a culture where people thrive. Where to Find Dave MacDonald and Learn More: Visit BetterTogetherGroup.com [https://www.bettertogethergroup.com/] for insights on hiring and workforce development. Listen to Dave’s podcast, X2Z, where he and his daughter, Hannah, discuss leadership, hiring, and workplace culture: XtoZ.org [https://www.xtoz.org/] And... don’t forget to check out our book! You, Me, We: Why We All Need a Friend at Work (and How to Show Up As One!) The hardcover is available now! This book is a heartfelt guide for leaders looking to build deep, meaningful relationships at work, which are the cornerstone of personal and professional success. Get your copy here: https://amzn.to/3NrQulV [https://amzn.to/3NrQulV**]

This week on People First, we welcome Mindy Honcoop, a seasoned people leader, HR advisor, and the founder of Agile in HR. With over 24 years of experience optimizing organizational success, Mindy helps leaders align culture with revenue strategy through advising, workshops, and speaking engagements.  Here are some key takeaways you won’t want to miss: * 02:00 The Power of Possibility: Mindy shares how she helps people shift from “I can’t” to “I can” and why that fuels her passion for leadership and HR. * 07:00 The Unexpected Journey: How a hiring manager took a chance on Mindy, pulling her from the “do not hire” bin and setting her on a leadership path. * 10:00 Culture Meets Revenue: Mindy explains why organizations must connect people strategy with business success and how HR leaders can drive that change. * 14:00 Trust and Turnover: The hidden costs of a disengaged workforce and how fostering a culture of trust leads to better retention and customer success. * 20:00 Making One-on-Ones Meaningful: Mindy shares how leaders can transform one-on-one meetings into a tool for engagement, accountability, and business impact. * 23:00 Entrepreneurial Lessons: From corporate HR to running her own business, Mindy reveals what she’s learned about leadership, risk-taking, and growth. * This episode is packed with insights for HR professionals, leaders, and entrepreneurs looking to build stronger workplace cultures while driving business success. Where to Find Mindy Honcoop and Learn More: Visit www.agileinhr.com [https://www.agileinhr.com/] and www.mindyhoncoop.com [https://www.mindyhoncoop.com/] for resources on aligning culture with revenue. Connect with Mindy on LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/mindyhoncoop/ [https://www.linkedin.com/in/mindyhoncoop/]