Klaus is a Partner and Head of the Finance and Risk practice for Europe, Middle East and Africa at Oliver Wyman. His work focuses on advising the world’s largest banks on strategy and risk-related topics, the more complex and challenging the better.
But Klaus prefers to share a different story.
A few years back, Klaus had been working with the CEO of a major Eurozone bank. One day, the CEO asked, ‘Klaus, tell me about yourself, what’s your story?’ and Klaus shared his usual speech when asked that question.
Then there was silence.
After a moment, the client turned and shared his own story. The client said he believed in the progress of mankind, and as a CEO he wanted to lead the way on social change and play an instrumental role in helping to feed 9 billion people by 2050.
Hearing that story was a lightbulb moment for me. I realized that my story was not actually a story. It was a list of credentials of a typical management consultant. I was flooded with mixed emotions, followed by some deep inspiration.
Klaus was inspired to embark on a soul-searching journey that identified his most significant professional moments. He recalled the time when he presented his view on what the future would hold at a bank’s board strategy offsite.
The CEO said that my team really helped their company take their credit risk management to the next level, and even changed the way he approaches and manages risks. This was a turning point for me. This really helped me to have a deeper sense of purpose, appreciation and pride.
Nowadays, when someone asks Klaus about his story, he shares his passion to have a real impact.
I want to make a difference in all my endeavors and also in the lives of those with whom I cross paths with —not just as a team leader, but for the clients I serve and in the field of risk management.
This is what keeps Klaus inspired and energized—his aspiration to keep growing, changing and improving, for both clients and those around him.