Paul Polman

In this episode of The CEO Diary, Lucas and Luna unpack the story of Paul Polman, the Dutch executive who became CEO of Unilever in 2009 and turned the consumer goods giant toward a long-term, sustainable business model. They focus on his defining move: the Unilever Sustainable Living Plan, launched in 2010, which tied the company's growth to social and environmental impact. Lucas explains how Polman cut short-term earnings guidance, set ambitious targets like halving the company's environmental footprint, and proved that purpose could drive profit — with Unilever outpacing its peers on total shareholder return. Luna challenges the conventional view, asking whether the strategy could survive a short-term-focused successor. They discuss concrete examples, like the Dove Self-Esteem Project and the Knorr sustainability sourcing, and reflect on whether Polman's model is a blueprint or an anomaly. The conversation is anchored to the current business landscape of June 2026, where ESG is under fire but sustainable brands continue to grow. #PaulPolman #Unilever #SustainableBusiness #CEO #Leadership #PurposeDriven #ESG #BusinessStrategy #CorporateGovernance #ConsumerGoods #Dove #Knorr #UnileverSustainableLivingPlan #LongTermValue #StakeholderCapitalism #Business #FexingoBusiness #BusinessPodcast Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo

There are only five years until the 2030 deadline for the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, and the urgency for bold action has never been greater. Many companies are struggling to truly address the mounting crises of climate change, biodiversity loss, and social inequity. Now is the time for leaders and organizations to chart a path forward, ensuring their strategies and actions rise to meet the scale of the increasing challenges ahead. In this special episode of Purpose 360, we revisit a powerful 2021 conversation with Paul Polman—former CEO of Unilever, UN SDG Advocate Emeritus, and co-author of the game-changing book, Net Positive . This re-edited version highlights timeless insights from Net Positive , which remains profoundly relevant today. Paul explores the qualities of courageous leaders, the importance of partnerships that drive systemic change, and how purpose-driven companies can outperform competitors while creating a better future for all. Whether you’re a CEO, a sustainability professional, or a changemaker at heart, this episode offers inspiration and practical guidance to help you lead with impact in today’s rapidly evolving world. Listen for insights on: Making the business case for sustainability when the moral argument isn’t enough Engaging employees, partners, and your value chain in delivering on bold sustainability commitments Becoming the courageous, purpose-driven leader needed to build and lead a net positive company Resources + Links: Paul Polman’s LinkedIn Paul Polman’s Website Net Positive The birth of Unilever’s Sustainable Living Plan (00:00) - Welcome to Purpose 360 (00:13) - Net Positive with Paul Polman (03:03) - Paul’s Purpose (05:09) - Net Positive Company (06:03) - Leadership Traits (07:52) - Starting with Team’s Personal Purpose (09:27) - Partner to Win (11:30) - Measurement (14:19) - Employees (15:42) - Return Equity (17:16) - Embedding and Building Off Purpose (19:47) - Three Important Things (21:26) - Last Thoughts (23:49) - Wrap Up

In turbulent times marked by economic volatility, environmental breakdowns, and widespread distrust, what we’re experiencing may feel unprecedented—but we’ve been here before. And as Paul Polman reminds us in his milestone conversation with Carol Cone, we are not without a compass. Paul, the former CEO of Unilever, is one of today’s most respected voices in sustainable leadership. He joined the 200th episode of Purpose 360 not to sugarcoat the challenges, but to ground us in enduring truths. Paul’s insights are rooted both in strategy and humanity. He speaks of sustainability as the “heart of business,” where values like dignity, compassion, and the Golden Rule are guiding principles. He urges leaders to develop their own “inner core” to build resilient businesses but also resilient selves—emotionally, mentally, and spiritually. And he reminds us that real leadership today means moving from “human doings” back to human beings. Business, he says, must be structured to serve—anchored in long-term purpose and in solidarity with both people and planet. At its core, Paul’s message to leaders and companies is both visionary and deeply grounded. He challenges companies to stop whispering behind closed doors and instead step forward together with clarity, courage, and moral conviction. The future, he believes, belongs to those who act with heart. And in a world that often feels fractured, Paul’s voice is a steady reminder that it’s our shared humanity—and our willingness to serve others—that will lead us through. Listen for key insights on why: “Soft” values are the most strategic and essential Business must serve humanity (not the other way around) Successful leadership starts from within Silence to political changes is not a neutral position Resources + Links: Paul Polman’s LinkedIn Paul Polman’s Website Net Positive IMAGINE Paul’s Reflection on the Passing of Pope Francis (00:00) - Welcome to Purpose 360 (00:13) - Episode 200 with Paul Polman (02:40) - About Paul (05:03) - Personal Purpose (07:20) - POV on What’s Happening Today (10:15) - Optimistic Outlook (12:41) - Being Authentic to Values (14:19) - Pope Francis (17:15) - Leaders (21:21) - What to Do When Attacked on DEI or ESG (24:28) - Moving the Boundaries (27:23) - Role of Employees (28:36) - Conscious Quitting Results (30:04) - Role of Humanity (32:29) - Last Thoughts (34:46) - Wrap Up

In deze themaweek Inspirerende Leiders door de Geschiedenis staan we stil bij zeven leiders uit het bedrijfsleven die een blijvende impact hebben gehad. Niet alleen op hun organisaties, ook op de wereld daarbuiten. Vandaag: Paul Polman , voormalig CEO van Unilever. Een leider die fundamenteel anders keek naar bedrijfsvoering. Zijn kernboodschap? 👉 Je dient niet alleen aandeelhouders, maar de hele samenleving. Paul Polman Wikipedia Paul Polman: How Courageous Companies Thrive By Giving More Than They Take Stuur mij een bericht met een reactie op deze Podcast! Verbonden Leiderschap wordt gemaakt door Jeroen van Lierop. Hij is Leiderschapsmentor voor senior leiders en begeleid leiders van teams om rust, moed en verbinding te creëren in hun organisatie voor blijvende impact, zonder stress. Neem contact op en vraag naar de Leiderschap APK ! Meer info: Jeroen van Lierop op LinkedIn Website Jeroen van Lierop

We appreciate the fabulous response to AND is the future and wanted to re-share one of our favorite episodes from Season One, especially for our new listeners. This episode features Paul Polman, one of the foremost sustainable businesses leaders. Is the world better off because your business is in it? Paul Polman speaks with Ilham about what it takes to build a Net Positive company; how leaders can unlock a company’s soul; why empathetic leadership is the key to success; the power of partnerships; the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion, and so much more. Paul Polman is the former CEO of Unilever and one of the foremost leaders in the effort to create sustainable and profitable businesses. While at Unilever he increased his shareholders' returns by 300% while ensuring the company ranked #1 in the world for sustainability for eleven years running. He now runs an organization called Imagine , which advocates for businesses becoming a true force for good. Paul is also the author of Net Positive How Courageous Companies Thrive by Giving More Than They Take . This episode was released as part of Season One in October 2022. Timestamps 1:22 - Background and passion for sustainable business 5:10 - How to be a Net Positive company 8:42 - Purpose: unlocking a company’s soul 13:36 - Power of partnerships 19:07 - Empathetic leadership 25:30 - Leaving a better world for the next generation 27:32 - What can business learn from the arts?

Changemakers from One Young World Series In this debut episode, the first in an exclusive series from the One Young World Summit, Paul Polman, former CEO of Unilever and co-author of Net Positive , joins host Carol Cone to discuss the urgent need for courageous leadership in today’s world. Paul shares insights on how businesses must adopt regenerative, restorative practices to address climate change and inequality, and how young leaders are key to driving this transformation. He also explores how companies can move beyond corporate social responsibility to embrace a "net positive" approach, where they give back more than they take. This episode is part of our multi-episode series featuring some of the world’s most influential changemakers who attended the 2024 One Young World Summit, a global forum that brings together young leaders from 190+ countries to accelerate social impact. Resources + Links: Paul Polman’s LinkedIn Net Positive “Stakeholder Capitalism Still Makes Business Sense” (Harvard Business Review) One Young World (00:00) - Welcome to Purpose 360 (00:13) - One Young World • Paul Polman (02:11) - Book Update (04:06) - Most Important Question Asked at Conference (05:09) - Purpose Progress (06:54) - Being More Courageous (09:04) - Gen Z Leaders (10:31) - Wrap Up

Er din virksomhed en positiv kraft for verden? Ofte møder erhvervsleder Paul Polman en reaktion af nervøse blikke og tøven fra virksomheder, i stedet for en konkret overvejelse af spørgsmålet. Polman er en førende figur inden for bæredygtig forretningspraksis og co-forfatter til bogen "Net Positive: How Courageous Companies Thrive by Giving More Than They Take". Hans budskab er klart: Virksomheder skal være modige og fokusere på den grønne omstilling i stedet for blot at forbruge jordens ressourcer. I podcasten har vi også Mette Morsing som samtalepartner. Hun har blandt andet erfaring med bæredygtig ledelse. Du vil høre dem diskutere, hvordan vi bør betragte bæredygtige forretningsstrategier som en investering snarere end en udfordring. Som Polman formulerer det: Det er en bevægelse, vi alle skal deltage i, i stedet for blot at øge vores egen produktion. Læs mere Speak, tilrettelægger og klipper: Marie Louise Madelung

Paul Polman is the legendary former CEO of Unilever and a global leader in combating climate change and promoting corporate responsibility. Reflecting on his career during and after Unilever, Polman explains how a company can achieve robust financial performance while playing an active role in solving the most pressing challenges facing society today.

Is the world better off because your business is in it? Paul Polman, one of the top leaders advocating for sustainable businesses, speaks with Ilham about what it takes to build a Net Positive company; how leaders can unlock a company’s soul; why empathetic leadership is the key to success; the power of partnerships; the importance of diversity, equity and inclusion, and so much more. Timestamps 1:22 - Background and passion for sustainable business 5:10 - How to be a Net Positive company 8:42 - Purpose: unlocking a company’s soul 13:36 - Power of partnerships 19:07 - Empathetic leadership 25:30 - Leaving a better world for the next generation 27:32 - What can business learn from the arts? Paul Polman is the former CEO of Unilever and one of the foremost leaders in the effort to create sustainable and profitable businesses. While at Unilever he increased his shareholders' returns by 300% while ensuring the company ranked #1 in the world for sustainability for eleven years running. He now runs an organization called Imagine , which advocates for businesses becoming a true force for good. Paul is also the author of Net Positive How Courageous Companies Thrive by Giving More Than They Take . For additional details about the podcast, show notes, and access to resources mentioned during the show, please visit https://www.syensqo.com/en/podcast

“Business cannot sit on the sidelines — we're not moving at the scale and speed needed, we as industry leaders have an enormous responsibility to drive these tipping points.” Paul Polman, one of our most prominent and vocal P&G Alumni, who also happens to be the former CEO of Unilever. In this talk from 2021 P&G Alumni Global Conference Paul talks about "Net Positive: How Courageous Companies Thrive by Giving More Than They Take" - a recent book he co-authored, the Financial Times named among the Best Business Books of 2021. The Financial Times declared Paul "a standout CEO of the past decade” - as he is a leading proponent that business should be a force for good. And the Economist declared Paul "An advocate of sustainable capitalism explains how it's done." Paul Polman is the co-founder of IMAGINE, where he is mobilizing businesses to tackle climate change and global inequality. Paul also served as the CEO of Unilever from 2009-2018, where he created - and proved- a long-term approach to global problems can also drive business performance. Prior to Unilever, he was Nestle’s CFO & Head of Americas. And of course, Paul got his start at P&G, where he spent 27 years rising through the ranks ultimately leading Europe for P&G. Paul continues to be active on the world stage, bridging the private/public sectors. Alongside the UN Secretary General, he helped develop the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. Paul is chair of the International Chamber of Commerce, The B Team, Saïd Business School and Vice-Chair of the UN Global Compact. You'll enjoy this very frank, compelling, and action oriented talk about what we can all be doing as business and community leaders — to face the challenges we have in front of us, and be a force for good. Paul’s past P&G Alumni Podcast appearance: https://apple.co/3eI5PSR BOOK: Net Positive: How Courageous Companies Thrive by Giving More Than They Take - goodreads.com/book/show/58090463-net-positive

Time is running out for our planet. We are taking more than we are giving. CSR targets don’t go far enough. And societal inequality is on the rise. It requires a rethink of how we do business, how we lead organisations, how we measure impact. Who better to set out the manifesto for change than Paul Polman, the former CEO of Unilever and co founder of Imagine One. He’s done what he’s advocated; turned a global company into a force for good whilst still delivering exceptional shareholder value. He’s now become an advocate, catalyst, ambassador, writing a book called ‘Net Positive: with Andrew Winston. It sets our how businesses should and can give back more to the world than they take, and why it matters. We talk about: What Net Positive means and why it’s a better concept that Net Zero. What stops CEOs from taking the necessary action. What it takes to learn and unlearn new leadership and business practices. Whether it’s possible to develop a new mindset of systemic leadership if you’ve been a short-term, mercenary leader. The three characteristics of CEOs he would look for. Critical moments in a CEO’s tenure that can make or break their contribution to addressing these systemic issues. His own personal habits that help him do extraordinary work. About Paul: Paul works to accelerate action by business to achieve the UN Global Goals, which he helped develop. As CEO of Unilever (2009-2019), he demonstrated that a long-term, multi-stakeholder model goes hand-in-hand with excellent financial performance, and has been described by the Financial Times as "a standout CEO of the past decade." Paul’s new book, “Net Positive”, is a call to arms to courageous business leaders, setting out how to build net positive companies which profit by fixing the world’s problems rather than creating them. He Chairs IMAGINE and Saïd Business School, and is Vice-Chair of the UN Global Compact as well as B Team Leader. Paul is Honorary Chair of the International Chamber of Commerce, which he led for two years. Visit the website at https://netpositive.world/#join and learn the way to join the movement. Follow co-authors Paul Polman on Twitter and LinkedIn and keep up with the Net Positive movement. Order your copy of Net Positive at your favourite retailer at https://netpositive.world/#order-window . My resources: Sign up to my newsletter (http://bit.ly/36WRpri) for stimuli, ideas, guidance and tips on how to lead your team, organisation or self more effectively, delivered straight to your inbox: If you're not subscribed already do subscribe to my youtube channel ( http://bit.ly/3cFGk1k ) where you can watch the conversation. Take the Extraordinary Essentials test (https://bit.ly/3EhSKY5) to identify your strengths and development areas. For more details about me: ★Services (https://bit.ly/373jctk) to CEOs, entrepreneurs and professionals. ★About me (https://bit.ly/3LFsfiO) - my background, experience and philosophy. ★Examples of my writing (https://bit.ly/3O7jkc7). ★Follow me and engage with me on LinkedIn (https://bit.ly/2Z2PexP) ★Follow me and engage with me on Twitter (https://bit.ly/36XavNI). My equipment: ★ Shure SM7B Vocal Dynamic Microphone: https://amzn.to/3AB9Xfz ★ Focusrite Scarlett 2i2 3rd Gen USB Audio Interface : https://amzn.to/3AFeA8u ★ 2M XLR Cable: https://amzn.to/3GGxkbf ★ Logitech Brio Stream webcam. https://amzn.to/3EsWt6C ★ Elgato Key Light: https://amzn.to/3Xhiqyh ★ Elgato Light Strip: https://amzn.to/3gyZF8P ★ Riverside.fm for recording podcasts. bit.ly/3AE

In episode 4, Andrew talks to Paul Polman, one of the world’s leading proponents of sustainable capitalism, about using business to drive positive global transformation. Paul has been called one of the standout business leaders of his generation. For ten years as the CEO at Unilever, he helped revolutionise corporate thinking. He proved that putting purpose and sustainability first was the right way to run a business – Unilever’s profits went up while simultaneously ranking number 1 for sustainability. Paul was also a member of the UN Secretary General’s High-Level Panel, which developed the Sustainable Development Goals, and as an active SDG Advocate he continues to work with global organisations and across industry to push the 2030 development agenda. He is Chair of the B Team and Saïd Business School, Vice-Chair of the UN Global Compact and honorary Chair of the International Chamber of Commerce, which he led for two years. In 2019 Paul co-founded IMAGINE, whose mission is to support business leaders in a “courageous collective” to build a sustainable future. In conversation with Andrew he reveals everything he’s learned about moral leadership, and talks about his new book – Net Positive: How Courageous Companies Thrive by Giving More Than They Take. Says Paul: I’ve always felt that business should profit from solving the world’s problems not creating the world’s problems. Featuring: Dr Andrew White, Senior Fellow of Management Practice, Saïd Business School, University of Oxford. Paul Polman ( @PaulPolman ), Co-Founder and Chair, IMAGINE . Resources: Net Positive: How Courageous Companies Thrive by Giving More Than They Take • Subscribe to Andrew’s Leadership2050 Newsletter on LinkedIn • Discover more articles, podcasts and videos from Saïd Business School on the challenges business leaders of the future need to consider on Oxford Answers • Follow us on Twitter @Oxford_Answers See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info .