“We are always waiting for someone to define the direction, versus saying ‘What am I going to do?’ — I've never asked what my work plan is — if there are no user manuals, how would you live your life?

Sandeep Seth is Chief Growth Officer and President of Tapestry International—the parent company of Coach, Kate Spade, and Stuart Weitzman. Before Tapestry, Sandeep spent over two decades at Procter & Gamble, where he rose through local, regional, and global marketing leadership roles across India and Singapore—eventually becoming Global CEO of SK-II, P&G’s prestige skincare brand. You’ll enjoy this candid conversation about the lessons behind Sandeep’s remarkable journey—from being placed on a performance plan early in his career to leading some of the world’s most iconic luxury and beauty brands. His turning point? Realizing that having a strong point of view—and voicing it—is just as critical as delivering great work. You’ll hear about how marketing leaders blend logic and magic, why emotional resonance is the real currency of brand-building, and how true business acumen comes from connecting the dots across an organization rather than chasing every new tool. A graduate of the Indian Institute of Management, Lucknow (MBA) and Jadavpur University, Kolkata (Civil Engineering), Sandeep brings a rare mix of analytical rigor, creative instinct, and humility to his leadership philosophy. If you’re thinking about stepping into a bigger role—or simply want to become a more intentional marketing leader—this episode is packed with sharp, grounded insights from someone who’s lived it.

This episode is hosted by P&G Alum Sudha Ranganathan, who’s spent over 19 years in diverse Marketing leadership roles at companies like P&G, PayPal, and LinkedIn where she’s honed her passion for customer-centric marketing and talent development.

“Leadership is much more about empowerment and clearing the decks so people can do what they know how to do — delegate, empower, and trust in order to deliver.”

David Taylor is P&G’s former Chairman and CEO. He recently joined the stage at the 2025 P&G Alumni Global Conference in Berlin, alongside Daniel Dippold, Founder and CEO of EWOR - a fast-growing tech startup ecosystem - and fellow P&G Alum Stefan Homeister from the Leitwolf podcast. The topic was “Former P&G CEO meets Tech Entrepreneur – Redefining Leadership in Times of Uncertainty” — Stefan led David and Daniel through a great conversation about leadership across generations — from leading 100,000 people through transformation, to building exponential-growth ventures from the ground up.

Missed the 2025 P&G Alumni Global Conference in Berlin? Check out all 50 sessions — keynotes, panels, and workshops — on-demand at PGAlums.com, where you can purchase your your All-Access Pass and catch insights from leaders, innovators, and changemakers from around the world. And for future inspirational conversations on leadership, check out P&G Alum Stefan Homeister’s top podcast “LEITWOLF” wherever you get your favorite podcasts.

“It's not about you - it's about them. Avoid excuses and blaming others. Tell them with empathy and directness - what makes you uncomfortable will make this human before you more comfortable at an awful time.”

There’s something about the phrase “It’s just business” that’s always felt wrong — especially when it’s used to justify layoffs, burnout, or bad behavior. But what if there’s more to the story? Hear how one leader wrestles with the tension between leadership, empathy, and the messiness of modern work — from the cruelty of corporate language to the uncomfortable idea that even bad bosses and BS jobs might serve a purpose. It’s a raw look at how we lead, how we’re led, and how we can find meaning in the middle of the madness.

This conversation is from P&G Alum Bob Gilbreath’s podcast & newsletter “The Workaround” — Bob is a repeat startup founder with two exits. Bob’s stories and conversations — from a career in tech startups and corporate innovation — are here to make you think, smile, and discover a shortcut to success or a trap to avoid. You can subscribe at behearty.substack.com, or schedule Office Hours with Bob - calendly.com/bob-gilbreath/bob-gilbreath-office-hours

This is a feature of an Alumni Leader’s frequently published thought leadership. Got an idea for a future “Learnings from Leaders” episode - reach out at pgalumpod@gmail.com