Headspace: Hans Laessoe

What are you thinking about right now?

I am looking at the almost exploding increase in volatility in the world – and how we as a company can benefit from this. Volatility is a prerequisite for development – and when it emerges from external sources, we have to reap the benefits. I am considering what my professional targets for 2012 should be, and how my team and I can achieve them.

What is your greatest fear?

I mostly focus on the health and safety of nmy family. Professionally, I fear that I am ‘found out’, that is, it becomes evident to management that what I do is essentially quite simple – and they don’t need me to drive them to do it.

What was your most embarrassing moment?

A few months ago we had a major session with 40 of my colleagues and an external coach. I did not sleep well the night before and I found the coach somewhat boring. During a break, I discussed a minor issue with her, and after the break she wanted to draw on that example. The problem was I had fallen asleep, so when she asked me to tell the story – everyone noticed. They laughed, and I woke up … highly embarrassed.

What is your most treasured possession?

I have three. My wedding band, with all that entails and means to me – plus I like the design. A large cast iron mortar I inherited from my father who, being a pharmacist, collected mortars of all kinds. And an Omega Constellation gold watch inherited from my grandfather.

What makes you happy?
Playing with my grandchildren, and watching them grow. I am blessed with four at present, and thoroughly enjoy their company. It helps when you work at a toy company. Experiencing things and places with my wife is wonderful. Professionally - getting though to someone,
having a colleague do risk management well.

What makes you unhappy?
There are songs and movies that touch me to the brink of tears. Cumbersome effort to no avail makes me unhappy. Trying to get though to someone I find is in serious need of understanding the value of risk management - and there is no response.

Who is your greatest hero?
When I grew up, it was John Lennon. Imagine is just about the most profound and fantastic song I have ever heard. I recognise that it is naïve. Lennon is still a big hero for me. But today, my wife is my superhero. I have learned so much from her about being an adult, being a human being, relating to others, the quality of life. I really love what she has done to me.

What’s the biggest risk you’ve ever taken?
I am not a big risk taker myself. I once climbed a huge harbour crane, in the middle of the night, when drunk (not advisable). At the top of the crane, I remembered my fear of heights as I looked at the water all around me, far, far below. That sobered me up in an instant and the climb down took forever.

What is the worst job you’ve ever done?
I had an afternoon job at my father’s pharmacy when I was a teenager. I filled bottles, tubes and glasses with different kinds of medicine. From time to time I was requested to fill really nasty things, such as sticky creams or smelly acids – which I hated.

What is your greatest achievement?
I find that the reasonably broad recognition of the value of what my team and I do is a strong achievement, given the fact that it was started from scratch a little over five years ago.

What is the most important lesson you’ve learned?

The importance of honesty. You cannot lie to all the people all the time, and being honest is so much easier and valuable. Professionally – managers are like teenagers: they have the audacity to think for themselves, and some of them are even quite good at it. They have their own agenda, so you cannot get things done just because you say so. If you can align their agenda with yours, you can get amazing results – but they have to want it for themselves, they will not do it for you.

Tell us a secret?
I once contemplated a political career. An opportunity came to run for parliament. It took some serious consideration to turn it down.