

First He Saved Unilever. Now He Wants to Save Capitalism.
Oct 5, 2021
Paul Polman, former CEO of Unilever and advocate for sustainable business, discusses his journey towards redefining capitalism. He shares insights from his new book, emphasizing a multi-stakeholder approach that benefits society and the environment. Polman highlights the need for courageous leadership to drive systemic change in corporate practices while balancing profit with social responsibility. He also introduces his consultancy IMAGINE, aimed at fostering collaboration among executives to tackle pressing global challenges like climate change and inequality.
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Lord Lever's Shared Prosperity
- Paul Polman contrasts Lord Lever's approach with other contemporaries like the Rockefellers.
- Lever prioritized shared prosperity, building worker houses and guaranteeing jobs, rather than amassing a fortune to give away later.
Stop Short-Term Thinking
- Abolish quarterly reporting and guidance to foster long-term focus.
- Shift compensation systems towards longer-term incentives.
The Power of Boundaries
- People are inherently good, but their behavior is shaped by boundaries.
- Removing short-term boundaries allows for better decision-making and focus on long-term value creation.