A biography for Paul Polmanhasn’t been written yet.
“Large-scale deforestation can be prevented while increasing food production through better, smarter agriculture.”
“While we have created prosperity for many, too many are being left behind.”
“Often people ask me what my job is, and I say, honestly, it is to make others successful, and the more you do that, the more you will see that you create prosperity.”
“The basic skills of leaders are always the same: be driven by a deeper purpose, be a human being, have a passion for what you do, and it's also about hard work and ethics.”
“If the world wants a climate deal and new development agenda that's good for the economy, for the poor, and for businesses, the path forward needs to include forests.”
“It is our responsibility as businesses to deliver ambitious solutions and technologies to bring us low-carbon, inclusive and sustainable growth.”
“P&G started in 1837, Nestle in 1857. These companies have been around for so long because they are in tune with society. They are very responsible companies, despite the challenges that they sometimes deal with, all the criticism they get.”
“It cannot be right in a world of increasing human progress - whether in medicine, space exploration or renewable energy - that so many people are denied the most basic human rights.”
“At Unilever, we are committed to building an inclusive organisation where all individuals feel safe, valued, and supported - irrespective of gender, background, or any other difference.”
“When we empower women, society benefits, grows, and thrives.”
“I do not work for the shareholder, to be honest. I work for the customer.”
“In certain cases, empowering women starts with making their lives easier and removing unnecessary burdens.”
“Purpose has always been part of Unilever's DNA. Our founder, William Lever, built a business around the sale of Lifebuoy soap that was not only profitable and sustainable but also helped transform the health of the poor in Victorian Britain.”
“Providing financial incentives for both local communities and national governments to conserve and restore forests also makes sense. It will put an economic value on these precious natural resources and drive the right behaviours from both government and business.”
“Permissible growth in the future has to be based on sustainable and equitable models.”
“I work a lot with blind people in my spare time outside of Unilever, and I count my blessings every day.”
“As a consumer goods company serving billions of consumers every day, Unilever understands the drivers and motivations that create the norms that lie behind people's behaviour.”
“I am very confident about the Modi government.”
“Too often, we are being programmed by the environment around us to behave differently. But I think a true leader is an authentic person who feels good about who he is.”
“I think the most important thing is to achieve what you set out to achieve. Just being a CEO in itself is not success. I would not relate success to a title or a position.”