159: Ashish Chatterjee on Defining Success on Your Own Terms
Overview
When we encounter a conflict or constraint that prompts us to question our current path, how do we determine our new way forward?
After a long career with Procter & Gamble, including a senior leadership role in R&D, Ashish Chatterjee hit a surprising and painful inflection point — one that challenged everything he thought he knew about success.
In this candid conversation, Ashish shares how a career setback in his early 50s became the spark for a deeper, more intentional life. We talk about the trauma of stalled ambition, the power of mentorship, and the framework he used to redefine success on his own terms across his work and life. Ashish’s story is a masterclass in leading through challenges, finding your center again, and building a second act (whether inside or outside a company) with purpose.
Whether you’re facing a transition, rethinking your metrics for a meaningful life, or just need a reminder that growth doesn’t end when the ladder does, this one’s for you.
Listen below or on your favorite podcast player.
More About Our Guest
Ashish Chatterjee is a global leader in pioneering green innovation breakthroughs and guides companies on their journey to profitable sustainability. He leverages more than 25 years of experience overseeing product innovation, sustainability, and supply chain operations worldwide at Proctor and Gamble. His international experience managing teams across four continents, coupled with his multilingual language skills and certification as a coach, have enabled him to transform struggling teams into high performing cross-functional cultures of collaboration.
Ashish is a recognized thought leader in green innovation and has been a featured speaker at Global Forums. With a proven record of helping companies navigate the intersection of technology, consumer trends, and sustainability, Ashish continues to be at the forefront of transforming how businesses approach growth in our rapidly evolving global economy.
Listen to the full episode to hear:
The “title trap” and how career ambition can narrow our view of success
What it feels like to plateau at the height of your career — and what comes after
How one question from a mentor reshaped Ashish’s life
The four “vectors” he uses to define success today
Lessons on leadership, personal wellness, and showing up for family
Why reframing your goals can lead to more impact, not less
How Ashish is channeling his energy into sustainability and a new venture post-retirement
Learn more about Ashish Chatterjee:
Thanks for Listening!
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