Sustainability makes good business sense, and we're all on the same team at the end of the day. That's the truth about the human condition.
Paul PolmanRead
Leadership is not a contest of likeability. Leadership often boils down to making the tougher choices. You are not in a popularity contest.
Interpretation
What this quote means
Leadership requires making difficult decisions rather than seeking popularity.
This quote by Paul Polman emphasizes that effective leadership is not about being liked or popular among followers, but about the ability to make tough decisions that may not always be well-received. True leaders sometimes have to prioritize the greater good over personal approval and to embrace difficult choices, acknowledging that such decisions are essential for the progress and success of their teams or organizations.
Themes
LeadershipDecisionsChoicesToughnessPopularity
In practice
Example use cases
During a leadership seminar, this quote can be used to emphasize the importance of integrity in decision-making.
More from Paul Polman
All quotes βI 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.
Paul PolmanRead
Let's work together to make our economies strong and our climate sustainable. It can be done.
Paul PolmanRead
I discovered a long time ago that if I focus on doing the right thing for the long term to improve the lives of consumers and customers all over the world, the business results will come.
Paul PolmanRead
Permissible growth in the future has to be based on sustainable and equitable models.
Paul PolmanRead
The young give us hope because young people are certain their best days still lie ahead - which explains why they're absolutely convinced they can change the world for the better.
Paul PolmanRead
Similar quotes
What Britain needs is an iron lady.
Margaret ThatcherRead
If the modern leader doesn't know the facts, he is in grave trouble, but rarely do the facts provide unqualified guidance.
John W. GardnerRead
I only met Margaret Thatcher twice. The thing that I thought about meeting her was how extraordinarily intelligent she was. You really had to be on your game otherwise she'd make mincemeat of you.
Salman RushdieRead
I think, at the end of the day, you do better when you tend toward being transparent, even though there's some risk.
Stanley A. McchrystalRead
As a director, you're a bit of a dictator. But I feel that you're a better director if you're open to other people's ideas. It means that it's tougher: you have to be in a choosing process; you have to put the ego aside. As long as everybody's aiming in the same direction... I'm open to my main partners in the film crew.
Denis VilleneuveRead
To state the facts frankly is not to despair the future nor indict the past. The prudent heir takes careful inventory of his legacies and gives a faithful accounting to those whom he owes an obligation of trust.
John F. KennedyRead