Paul Polman
Born in 1956 in the Netherlands, Paul Polman grew up in a Catholic family of six children. He studied economics and began his career at Procter & Gamble, later serving in senior roles at Nestlé before joining Unilever.
Appointed CEO of Unilever in 2009, Polman took the unconventional step of ending quarterly earnings guidance to reduce short-term market pressure. He launched the Unilever Sustainable Living Plan, embedding environmental and social sustainability into the company’s strategy. Under his leadership, Unilever strengthened its global position while advancing sustainability targets.
• Faith-rooted upbringing
• Corporate mentors at P&G and Nestlé
• Exposure to global inequality through international roles
Leadership Shaping Themes
Long-term capitalism
Stakeholder value over short-term profit
Business as systemic force for good
- Who shaped Polman’s moral framework for leadership?
- How did he align shareholders, employees and global stakeholders?
- What relational risks did he take by resisting short-term pressure?
- How did influence matter more than authority in his leadership?