LIFESTYLE
A peek into the life of Ashan Jayatilaka
UNPLUGGED
In conversation with Natalie Seneviratne
What do you do at the beginning of your day, which sets the tone before work begins?
A quiet cup of tea before the world wakes, followed by a ‘quick list’ – because even chaos needs structure. Dividing my day into clear chapters keeps things sane and productive. And dropping my daughter at school is a daily reminder of what it’s all really for.
How do you maintain a healthy blend between your personal life and demanding work schedule?
I try to approach both life and work with a ‘forever young’ mindset. Age is inevitable but monotony is optional – and outlook is always flexible!
If you had one month to unplug anywhere in the world, where would you choose to go? And what would you do there?
Santorini – where I enjoyed one of my best escapes on a shoestring budget. Souvlaki, long walks and riding ATVs across the island like we owned it – no plans, emails or urgency; just sea, sky and the joy of having nowhere to go.
What has been the defining moment in your leadership journey so far?
Every time my colleagues light up because of something big and new we have created – a performance, campaign or story – and they own it. That’s when hierarchy disappears and it’s simply people connecting and enjoying something together. In those moments, leadership feels less like direction and more like ignition.
Where do you draw inspiration from beyond the world of business?
Stories in any form. A line, a verse, even a random music video can trigger an idea. Inspiration has no hierarchy. I also draw a lot from people – colleagues, family or someone you meet in passing who leaves you thinking differently. You never quite know where the next spark will come from.
On challenging days, what helps you reset your mind and regain clarity?
Headphones on, music up and the world off. Sometimes it’s the only way to clear the static. At other times, it’s the team – someone wanders in and cracks a joke… and perspective returns. And when all else fails, there’s always the whiteboard where strategy and chaos come into play.
What legacy do you hope to leave behind as a leader?
That I left the brands, the industry, the processes and the people stronger than when I found them – not by changing who they are but helping them realise what they’re capable of and to raise standards without losing humanity.
If you could give your younger self one meaningful piece of advice, what would it be?
Stop worrying about what people think and trying to please everyone. Most of them are too busy worrying about themselves.
What personal value or principle do you refuse to compromise?
Respect. No role, deadline or crisis should ever make you forget that the people you work with are human beings first. I also refuse to accommodate people who don’t respect the importance of working towards the team’s overall purpose and goals.
How do you spend your ideal weekend when you’re not working?
Writing my sequel – usually with too little sleep. Playing the guitar for my family on the balcony, watching a good film or having a solid workout. Nothing complicated, just the kind of weekend that leaves you ready for Monday (sadly, quite rare).
What’s a simple everyday pleasure that brings you unexpected joy?
Conversations with younger colleagues. Their perspectives are unfiltered, curious and wonderfully unpredictable. It’s a good reminder to stay open and young in spirit. And while it’s not every day, celebrating small wins as a team are also moments to be treasured.
What is the most underrated skill that today’s leaders should cultivate?
Empathy – and the ability to help people especially younger colleagues find meaning in what they do. It’s easy to talk strategy; it’s harder to make people feel their work truly matters. And that’s a journey that never really ends.
A common misconception people have about leaders at your level…
That we don’t care about our people or we’re somehow the villains in the story. The truth is that most of us spend more time thinking about our teams’ wellbeing and growth than anyone realises. It just doesn’t always make it into the meeting minutes.
Looking ahead, what excites you the most about the next phase of your life and career?
New ideas, connections and stories to tell. Growth rarely looks the way you expect it to and sometimes purely on reflection, you can see how far you’ve come!
