A.G. Lafley (Part 2): P&G’s former Chairman & CEO

05/02/21 • 54 min

Learnings from Leaders: the P&G Alumni Podcast

“Life is about chapters, chances, and choices.”

A.G. Lafley served as P&G’s CEO twice - from 2000-2009 and 2013-2015. In part 2 of a 2-part conversation, we talk about his experience beyond P&G, and his personal take on the past, present, and future.

A.G. started at the company in 1977, after receiving an MBA from Harvard, serving the USNavy in Japan, and getting a BA from Hamilton college. A.G. rose through P&G’s ranks, leading the iconic laundry and cleaning business, leading P&G Asia thru the nineties, and becoming head of P&G’s Beauty business & North America Sales. Upon becoming CEO in 2008, A.G. revitalized the company under the mantra “Consumer is boss” - focusing the company on billion dollar brands and establishing many new brands and categories.

Since leaving P&G, A.G has remained active in the world of business and entrepreneurship, serving on President Obama's Jobs Council, Chairing the Cincinnati Center City Development Corporation (3CDC), and serving on the boards of Dell, GE, Legendary Entertainment and Snapchat. AIG has received numerous honors, including an Edison Achievement Award. In 2013, A.G. co-wrote the book “Playing to Win” - which continues to define his passion for innovation, entrepreneurship, and what’s next...

“Life is about chapters, chances, and choices.”

Previous Episode

A.G. Lafley (Part 1): P&G’s former Chairman & CEO

“Be the change you want to see - and make things better.”

A.G. Lafley served as P&G’s CEO twice - from 2000-2009 and 2013-2015. In part 1 of a 2-part conversation, we learn about his early life and career at P&G - and his take on being an “Inside-Outsider leader.”

A.G. started at the company in 1977, after receiving an MBA from Harvard, serving the US Navy in Japan, and getting a BA from Hamilton college. A.G rose through P&G’s ranks, leading the iconic laundry and cleaning business, leading P&G Asia thru the nineties, and becoming head of P&G’s Beauty business & North America Sales. Upon becoming CEO in 2008, A.G. revitalized the company under the mantra “Consumer is boss” - focusing the company on billion dollar brands and establishing many new brands and categories.

Next Episode

Mark Tatum, NBA Deputy Commissioner & Chief Operating Officer

“Sports and basketball transcends globally - teaching hard work, perseverance, teamwork, and respect.”

Mark Tatum is the NBA’s Deputy Commissioner and Chief Operating Officer - a position he’s held since 2014. Having worked at the NBA for 20+ years, Mark currently leads the NBA’s business operations, including international efforts, as well as Global Partnerships, Marketing, and the NBA Development League. Prior to joining the NBA, Tatum worked for Major League Baseball, Clorox, and Pepsi - in varying roles in corporate sponsorship, sales, and sports marketing. And of course, Mark got his start at P&G in sales management.

A graduate of Cornell University, Mark received his MBA from Harvard Business School in 1998, and has been named to the SportsBusiness Journal’s “50 Most Influential People in Sports Business”, as well as as one of Forbes’ Most Influential Minorities in Sports. Mark sits on the Board of Trustees for the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame, the Board of Directors for USA Basketball, the International Basketball Federation (FIBA) Central Board and Executive Committee, and the Board of Directors for The Partnership for Drug-Free Kids., Mark’s also a member of the Executive Leadership Council, a national organization empowering African-American corporate leaders to make significant and impactful global community contributions.

You’ll enjoy this candid conversation about hearing how Mark found his way to the world of sports - a passion area of his - and the importance of action over words.