Q+A | Olof Faxander

Olof Faxander

Q: How do you spend your weekends?

A: My weekends are spent with my family, of course.

What are your hobbies?

I go fishing and hunting, if I have time. On my holidays, I like to go sailing. We go out sailing along the Swedish coastline.

What is the book you are reading now?

I am reading the biography of Richard Branson - Losing My Virginity. I think it's a fantastic story. He's a fantastic guy.

What is your greatest fear?

Besides my business life, family is very important to me. So my family is the priority for me. The great fear is loss of my family.

What is the quality you most admire in a person?

Integrity and loyalty.

What do you value the most in your friends?

Also integrity and loyalty.

What do you dislike most about your appearance?

I don't really have time to think about it.

What do you consider to be your greatest achievement?

In my career, to be able to become CEO of Sandvik. It's a fantastic thing. In my personal life, I ran a marathon in 2010. When I crossed the finishing line, it was a very strong emotional moment.

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

I don't spend time thinking about it. I always have a positive view of life. You are born as you are. We'll not change that. I don't spend my energy on thinking about what things could be different. I put energy into what I can do.

What are your most treasured possessions?

My family.

On what occasion do you lie?

I try not to lie.

What kind of "green" lifestyle do you have?

When going to the airport, I prefer taking the metro, public transportation instead of taking a taxi. We should be responsible for our environment and our next generation.

Name places in China that impressed you most and those you have not visited but want to explore.

My trips are usually to Beijing and Shanghai. To my parents' generation, New York is the most happening place in the world. But now Shanghai may be one of the most important cities in the world. That's impressive.

I want to see other places in China, the areas around Tibet, the mountains and the high plateau. My colleagues in China recommend going by train. I would like to give it a try.

What's the best way to break the ice with a Chinese businessman you've met for the first time?

Chinese businesspeople, in my view, are quite easy to get to know, so I don't think it's a problem.