Amidst the economic disaster, little has been talked about the disappearance of Olafur Ragnar Grimsson, president of Iceland from 1996.

Olafur was a controversial politician to say the least, a leftist who had no control over the finances of his ministries in the eighties but surprisingly won the election of 1996, not least because of his charming wife who was central in the marketing campaign.

Olafur was a much more flamboyant president than his predecessors who approached the position with a stoic elegance of community elders. The new guy became the “Seen & Heard” president, after the main tabloid in the country where his adventures were chronicled throughout.

Olafur knew that ties with the business-life would be important for his family and his own advancement in the future. He was on call for the Icelandic business raiders to open up offices around the world, cut ribbons or rub sholders over a foie gras or two. His speech from the Wallbrook Club on How to succeed in modern business: Lessons from the Icelandic voyage is the stuff of legends, including phrases like:

The track record that Icelandic business leaders have established is also an interesting standpoint from which to examine the validity of traditional business teaching, of the theories and practice fostered and followed by big corporations and business schools on both sides of the Atlantic. It enables us to discuss the emphasis on entrepreneurial versus structural training, on process versus results, on trust versus career competition, on creativity versus financial strength.

The last we heard of Olafur was when he scolded his wife in an interview with Condé Nast Portfolio magazine for displaying the delightful naivety of a rich woman in an economic disaster zone. Then there was also a curious case of why he retracted an award to the outgoing US ambassador to Iceland, Carol Van Voorst when she was literally on his doorsteps about to accept the honor this winter.

The Word On The Street column at Eyjan.is claims that the reason might have been so petty and personal as her not getting Olafur tickets to Barack Obama’s inauguration.

Olafur still holds the post of a president but his reputation and the office’s is in tatters. Therefore the whole disappearance from the spotlight might just be a good thing…for him.

Olafur Ragnar Grimsson’s Speech 05.05.03.Walbrook.Club.PDF

Related posts:

1. Bloomberg: Iceland Banks Didn’t Violate Rules, President Grimsson Says
2. The lost president
3. No He Didn’t! President Asks For National Referendum
4. Olafur Ragnar’s Legacy: A Lost Symbol Of Unification
5. They don’t fake it in the Vatican – Iceland President And Pope Trading Untruths