Episode #7
From Psychology to Global Leadership: Purpose, People & Building a Career Across Borders with Swati Jain
In this episode of CMO Chapters, Lucy Bolan sits down with Swati Jain, International Commercial Leader, for a candid conversation about an unconventional career path that spans psychology, HR, marketing, and senior leadership roles across multiple countries. Swati shares how she accidentally landed in marketing, the lessons learned from working at global organisations like GSK, and what it really takes to lead across cultures, industries and business models. They also explore the reality of moving countries for work, the importance of resilience when things don’t go to plan, and how AI is reshaping the way marketing teams think about productivity and growth. This is a grounded, honest conversation about building a career through curiosity, adaptability, and a willingness to take opportunities as they come. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: How an “accidental marketer” builds a global leadership career Why psychology can be a powerful foundation for commercial leadership What working at a global organisation like GSK really teaches you early in your career The realities of stakeholder management in complex, matrix environments How to scale new business ideas without damaging the core business What really changes when you move countries for work Why cultural understanding matters more than preparation How AI is already being used inside marketing teams to drive productivity Why prompting skill matters more than the tool itself How to think about career progression beyond titles and job descriptions What it looks like to build a career across industries, not just within one Why building networks outside your immediate industry matters more than most people realise How to define success beyond role, title or compensation Key Takeaways: People thinking is a career superpower: Swati’s psychology background shows up everywhere in her career - from consumer insight to leadership style. Understanding people remains the constant thread. Global organisations shape early career thinking: Working at GSK gave her exposure to scale, complexity, stakeholder alignment and cross-cultural leadership early on - setting a strong foundation for everything that followed. Growth needs balance: One of the key lessons from her career is that scaling new initiatives without protecting the core business can create unintended consequences. Moving countries is more than a job change: Relocation is a full life transition. Success depends less on preparation and more on adaptability, cultural awareness and personal responsibility. AI is a productivity lever, not a threat: Used well, AI removes repetitive work and frees up time for higher-value thinking. The real differentiator is knowing how to prompt it effectively. Titles slow people down more than they realise: Career growth accelerates when people focus on experience, not hierarchy. Networks matter more than most people realise early on: Building relationships beyond your immediate industry creates perspective, opportunity and long-term career strength. Success evolves: For Swati, success is no longer about titles. It’s about building capability in others and helping develop strong business leaders. Connect with Our Guest: Swati Jain on LinkedIn ***** Follow the Podcast & New Chapter Talent: Instagram: @NewChapterTalent LinkedIn: New Chapter Talent || CMO Chapters Podcast This podcast is brought to you by New Chapter Talent recruitment. If you're hunting for a fulfilling new role or seeking the right talent for your company, contact Lucy Bolan today! Website: https://www.newchaptertalent.com.au/contact-us LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/new-chapter-talent/ Email: lucy@newchaptertalent.com.au
