Article

Humble, Hungry & Smart: Career Steppingstones

People & Culture

Paul Blackburn, General Manager, Polycon Industries
November 20, 2025
2-min read

Paul Blackburn’s story began on the shop floor, with a journey that has taken him through various leadership positions and a promotion to general manager at Magna’s Polycon division in 2025.

While ambitious, Blackburn also prizes humility and celebrates it as a strength. To this GM, humble leadership is more than a personal virtue. It is a strategic tool that can inspire others and unlock the leadership potential of employees.

Blackburn shares his story:

First job: I’ve grown up here. I started at Magna in 1994 as an operator on the midnight shift in the paint cleanup area at Polycon. I left to go back to college in 1995, then I came back to the same job. When I was in my early 20s, I told the guys on the shop floor, “I think I’ll focus on running this place someday.” Some of them still work here, and when I became general manager in January 2025, they reminded me of that early goal and how I finally achieved it.

I’m an example of homegrown talent. Continuous improvement is part of who we are, and that’s done through people and their development. We ensure Magna’s future by empowering and investing in people.

“I’m an example of homegrown talent.”

Paul Blackburn, General Manager, Polycon Industries

Current job: There’s a wooden sign in my office that says “Be Humble, Hungry & Smart.” My kids Abbigayle, Emma and Payton made it for me 15 years ago. Everyone who comes in here sees it.

As general manager, I get the pleasure of doing the orientations of all the new hires. I like to tell them, “If you want a career, we want you; if you want a job, we want you, too.” The biggest lesson I’ve learned in my career is treating people with respect and dignity.

At Polycon, that means implementing engagement strategies and giving everyone the skills, tools and confidence to act like winning competitors. It is increasing our bench strength by mentoring junior leaders on our teams and exposing them to more aspects of the business.

Game Plan: Sparking it up by having a little more fun – and making leadership aspirational for our employees.