Leadership, transformation, and growth are at the heart of Michael Polk’s remarkable 40-year career. As the former CEO of Newell Brands, Michael Polk built a reputation for effective corporate turnarounds. While that occasionally required making tough decisions, Polk believes leaders must also invest in the human side of business.
In fact, his deep commitment to mentorship is an important facet of Polk’s desire to give back. The son of World War II refugees, Michael Polk knows what it means to work hard and give back to others. He shares how modern leadership affects mentorship opportunities, and how he believes executives can pay it forward to the next generation of leaders.
Newell Brands’ Michael Polk Reveals How Corporate Structure Affects Connection
Polk’s leadership style has evolved significantly based on the varying demands of his companies. He acknowledges that the role of a CEO can differ dramatically depending on whether the company is large or small. “There are lots of different variables that can contribute to the work being different and the scope of work being different for a CEO besides just scale,” Polk shared. The nuances of leading a large public company versus a smaller private one aren’t insignificant. In larger companies, such as Newell Brands, he focused on unlocking shareholder value by strategically allocating resources and leading through others.
In contrast, his experience with small companies like Implus, where Michael Polk serves as President and CEO, is much more hands-on. “I’m leading by doing and by modeling behaviors that I want the relatively young and inexperienced team to adopt,” Polk says. The difference in roles comes from the very structure of the company: in smaller settings, he has closer proximity to the team, enabling him to play an active role in tasks such as marketing, selling, and designing go-to-market strategies.
The ability to model behavior and work alongside your team is a powerful leadership tool. Polk finds great satisfaction applying his extensive knowledge from his years in corporate America to see real, tangible progress at a smaller firm. It’s just one way he believes seasoned leaders can pave the way for their employees.
Investing In Future Leaders Through Mentorship
One of the most consistent themes in Polk’s career is his focus on mentorship. Polk’s philosophy has always been that success comes not just from what you know but from who supports you along the way.
“I’m very conscious of the fact that I need to pay that forward for other people,” Polk shares, reflecting on how crucial mentorship has been in his journey. His own rise was facilitated by the guidance and trust of those who saw potential in him and gave him the opportunities to grow. Whether it was moving to Australia to manage operations for Kraft or revamping Unilever’s food business, Polk credits his ability to navigate these challenges to the relationships he cultivated throughout his career.
This perspective isn’t just limited to his direct reports, but to the broader networks of professionals and mentees he mentored over the years. Michael Polk finds personal growth through mentoring others, and he considers it one of the most fulfilling aspects of his leadership journey.
In his current role, Polk continues to embrace his leadership responsibility, focusing on developing his team and ensuring the company’s success long after he leaves. Whether through restructuring organizations, improving margins, or driving growth strategies, his role as a mentor has been vital in transforming businesses and lives alike.
Improving Executive Accessibility
Back in the early days of Michael Polk’s career, CEOs weren’t reachable by everyday employees. Fortunately, things are different today. “Employees expect to be able to shake your hand, to be engaged with you, and to hear how you think,” he said. In today’s world, it’s not enough for CEOs to be distant figures at the top of the corporate ladder. They must be present, authentic, and able to communicate clearly with their teams. Not only is that a best practice for improving employee morale, but accessibility also gives junior employees more opportunities to learn from senior executives.
As a CEO, Polk has learned that earning followership is essential to success. This doesn’t come from being a perfect figurehead but from being accessible and transparent. “You have to be ready to do that,” he said. Despite being an introvert by nature, Polk made it a point to be present in front of employees.
Polk’s leadership is based on the understanding that transformation requires not only strategy and execution but also the collective efforts of everyone in the organization. “You have to bring the organization with you. You’re never going to do it on your own,” he says.
Passing the Torch to Tomorrow’s Leaders
Even though Polk retired in 2019, his journey is far from over. Eager for a new adventure, he left retirement after just four months to lead Implus through the stress of the pandemic. “As long as I’m capable and I’m leading in a way that helps people develop, I envision myself sticking with this type of work,” he says. Michael Polk’s commitment to leadership and mentorship remains as strong as ever. These experiences, both the highs and the lows, gave him the insight and wisdom to lead the next generation of leaders, and he continues to pay it forward by helping those behind him.
