Interview with A.G. Lafley

A.G. Lafley, CEO of Proctor and Gamble, is interviewed regarding his relationship with Peter Drucker. He begins the interview by comparing Peter Drucker to Babe Ruth because of Drucker’s longevity, high standards, and sustained excellence. Lafley tells how he was introduced to Drucker’s teachings through his father who went to business school through the G.I. Bill and later worked at GE and Chase Manhattan Bank. When Lafley became interested in business his father recommended that he read what he refers to as, “The Drucker Classics.” Lafley goes on to describe conversations he has had with Drucker about the importance of Knowledge workers, the demographics of the work force, and what he calls “a networked organization” as well as the influence that such conversations have had on how he practices management. Lafley also explains how Drucker’s advice, that “you have to play from your strengths,” has influenced Proctor and Gamble to focus on their brands and their consumers, which they see as their strengths. He ends the interview by describing ways in which he sees Drucker as a twentieth century Renaissance man.