Q+A Gustavo Eichelmann

What is your favorite book?

It's a book called Magallanes, the story about a Portuguese sailor known as Ferdinand Magellan in English by author Stefan Zweig. He was the first person known to have sailed around the world. It's a fascinating book because it shows how conviction and faith can overcome any obstacle. It also shows that anything is possible.

What was your favorite journey?

My personal favorite journey was coming to China.

What do you do on weekends?

My weekends are very busy, mostly with family activity. I have two young children that have very active schedules.

When you get up every morning, what is the first thing you do?

I hate the fact my wife will read this in the press but it's actually looking at e-mail. What has happened is that we live in a global company and you sleep for five hours and wake up and a lot of things have happened.

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

Achieving balance.

What is your greatest fear?

The helpless lack of balance.

Which historical figure do you most identify with?

You know, that's an interesting question. I was very impressed with having the opportunity to be in the same room as Nelson Mandela and, I must say, because this is somebody we all know, have read about in the papers - but having the opportunity to shake his hand and have a small chat with him definitely had quite an impact on me.

What is the quality you most admire in men?

Intellectual honesty.

What do you value most in your friends?

Intellectual honesty.

What do you dislike most about your appearance?

About my appearance? I guess this is one that I'm just going to skip.

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

That's a very good question. I guess it goes back to the topic of balance, I would like to have a bit more balance, but I am very drawn to the excitement of my professional life.

What do you consider your greatest achievement?

My children.

On what occasions do you lie?

Do I lie? Thinking of my children, I would have to say never. Stretching the truth sometimes with them is a necessary step.

What is your motto?

Everything is possible.

What is your most treasured possession?

My family.