A.G. Lafley’s Innovation Skills Will Weather P&G’s Storm

Almost 20 years ago, I interviewed Procter & Gamble Chief Executive Officer A.G. Lafley at company headquarters in Cincinnati for a book project focused on what it takes to become a great global leader. I was looking forward to talking with Lafley because former Chairman John Pepper had endorsed him as one of the most effective global leaders at P&G.

Lafley arrived for the interview in jeans and a leather bomber jacket, having driven his motorcycle to work that day. From the moment our conversation started, it was clear Lafley would be one of the most inquisitiveness leaders I had ever met. He asked me more questions than I asked him. He was intensely curious about my research project and generous with insights about what had shaped his own leadership core.