Ivan Glasenberg Quotes

Powerful Ivan Glasenberg for Daily Growth

About Ivan Glasenberg

Ivan Glasenberg (1956-present) is a South African mining magnate and business tycoon, renowned in global mineral commodity trading. Born on July 7, 1956, in Cape Town, South Africa, Glasenberg was the son of Jewish immigrants who escaped Nazi Germany. This upbringing instilled in him an early appreciation for hard work and perseverance. His education began at the University of the Witwatersrand, where he studied mining engineering. After graduation, he worked for Anglo American Corporation, a multinational mining company, where he spent 20 years ascending through the ranks. In 1997, he was appointed as the CEO of Glencore International, a position he held until 2015. Under Glasenberg's leadership, Glencore transformed from a relatively small trading house to one of the world's largest commodity companies. This growth was driven by strategic acquisitions and an emphasis on mining and metals production. The company became renowned for its aggressive business tactics and controversial deals in countries like the Democratic Republic of Congo and Kazakhstan. In 2015, Glasenberg stepped down as CEO but remained on the board as Executive Chairman until 2020. Today, he is known for his philanthropic efforts, particularly in education and health care in South Africa and Switzerland. Glasenberg's life and career have been marked by a singular focus on commodity trading and mining, making him one of the most influential figures in these industries. Despite controversy surrounding some of Glencore's deals, Glasenberg has left an indelible mark on global business and continues to shape South Africa's economic landscape.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"The best way to predict your future is to create it."

This quote by Ivan Glasenberg emphasizes personal agency and self-determination in one's life journey. It suggests that instead of passively waiting for the future to unfold, individuals should actively shape their own destiny through purposeful actions and decisions. In other words, a proactive approach towards setting and achieving goals is more effective than simply predicting or reacting to events. This perspective encourages individuals to take responsibility for creating the life they desire, and to recognize that while the future may be uncertain, their choices today can have a significant impact on tomorrow.


"Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts." (Winston Churchill) - Often repeated quote by Ivan Glasenberg as inspiration for his team.

This quote, often used by Ivan Glasenberg, underscores resilience and perseverance in the face of challenges. It suggests that while success is temporary and failure is common, it's the determination to keep moving forward despite setbacks that truly defines one's character. In the context of Glasenberg using this quote as inspiration for his team, it encourages them to be courageous in their efforts, to persist even when faced with obstacles, and to understand that the true measure of success lies not only in the results achieved but also in the fortitude demonstrated along the way.


"In business, if you're not willing to take risks, you will never make money."

This quote by Ivan Glasenberg emphasizes the importance of taking calculated risks in business. It suggests that without a willingness to venture into uncharted territory or try new strategies, businesses may miss out on opportunities for growth and financial success. The key point is not reckless risk-taking, but rather the understanding that some degree of risk is inherent in entrepreneurship and innovation, and embracing it can lead to substantial rewards.


"Never give up on your dreams, no matter how big or small they may seem."

This quote emphasizes the importance of perseverance in pursuing one's dreams, regardless of their size or perceived significance. It encourages individuals to maintain optimism and determination even when facing challenges or obstacles, as it underscores that every dream holds potential value and can make a positive impact on one's life if they are willing to work towards achieving it.


"The most important thing is to focus on what you can control and work hard at it."

This quote by Ivan Glasenberg emphasizes the importance of focusing one's efforts and energy on controllable aspects of a situation, while exerting diligence in doing so. The underlying message is that by focusing on what can be controlled, individuals can effectively manage their resources, increase their chances of success, and ultimately achieve their goals more efficiently. In essence, it encourages personal responsibility, hard work, and strategic decision-making.


I stopped focusing on people being different, and I started treating everyone the same way.

- Ivan Glasenberg

Everyone, Same, Stopped, Being Different

Many people may say that luck is important, but I think you create your own luck by working hard to ensure you don't miss opportunities.

- Ivan Glasenberg

Luck, Think, I Think, Miss

I observed a man sourcing candle wax from South America and selling it to Japan. I thought: 'That's unbelievable. Talking on the phone in his office, that man made money moving candle wax from one country to another.' It really interested me.

- Ivan Glasenberg

Thought, Country, South, One Country

I'm a CEO of a public company. You have to show decorum.

- Ivan Glasenberg

Show, Public, Public Company, Decorum

It's easy to buy. Prove that you bought at the right time and the right price.

- Ivan Glasenberg

Price, Prove, Bought, Right Time

A lot of deals are done or not done because chief executives are not fully aligned to shareholders.

- Ivan Glasenberg

Chief, Lot, Executives, Fully

You want to be a trader, come be a trader. The door's open. You want to travel six days a week, you want to travel the world, the door's open.

- Ivan Glasenberg

Door, Week, Six, Six Days

When we first invested in Colombia, we were buying a lot of coal from Colombia. We were dealing with them daily. I knew their guys at the port, I knew their guys at the mine, I had a feel of the country.

- Ivan Glasenberg

Country, Dealing, Mine, Colombia

What are we focused on? Return on equity. We don't need these great big tier one assets. I'm very happy with getting tier two, tier three assets; that's what Glencore has been good at.

- Ivan Glasenberg

Big, Been, Very, Assets

I've never opened a glass of champagne on any acquisition. Bankers do that.

- Ivan Glasenberg

Never, Glass, Bankers, Champagne

I thought if we could put our hard-working culture as traders into the asset management, it will be a great combination, and we did do that.

- Ivan Glasenberg

Thought, Will, Could, Hard-Working

Africa is where commodities are found, so it is vital that Glencore and other miners are there to develop those resources, helping Africa itself to grow at the same time.

- Ivan Glasenberg

Grow, Other, Africa, Vital

When the opportunities come, we may not want to buy another nickel asset, but if something comes cheap enough, we're all about return on equity.

- Ivan Glasenberg

Want, May, Buy, Nickel

Over two billion people in China and India need commodities to grow their economies and improve their living standards.

- Ivan Glasenberg

Grow, Over, China And India, Commodities

We're all shareholders. These guys below me, they see the CEO taking it easy, it's their money.

- Ivan Glasenberg

Easy, CEO, Below, Shareholders

It's nice to do an IPO where your investors get value straightaway and the share price pops up; it proves you left something on the table for them.

- Ivan Glasenberg

Them, Your, Investors, Pops

We're talking to every third-party supplier every day of the week, and our traders are talking to them and buying products from them. When we're doing that, we see opportunities which no one else sees.

- Ivan Glasenberg

Doing, Week, Which, Buying

You'll sacrifice a lot of things in the early part of your career to be successful, but to be ahead of your competitors, you have to work hard.

- Ivan Glasenberg

Work Hard, Career, Ahead, Competitors

We want people who work for us to be entrepreneurs. We like them to look at ideas. We like them to chase ideas. We like them to not be what I call a caretaker of an asset.

- Ivan Glasenberg

Work, Want, Like, Asset

Why should I build an asset when I can buy it more cheaply than you can build it?

- Ivan Glasenberg

More, Build, Cheaply, Asset

We work. You don't come here to take life easy. And we all got rich from it, so, you know, there's a benefit from it.

- Ivan Glasenberg

Work, Rich, Here, Benefit

You're doing a major merger, you got to hope you didn't get it wrong. That's the view of any CEO.

- Ivan Glasenberg

Hope, Doing, CEO, Major

I've said I will be CEO as long as my colleagues want me.

- Ivan Glasenberg

Colleagues, Want, Will, CEO

The trading side of the business means a lot of travel, being out of the office a lot of time.

- Ivan Glasenberg

Side, Lot, Means, Trading

We're creating new supply for the world, which is key. If we didn't get more tonnes into the system, your next motorcar is going to cost more because the aluminum cost is going to be higher.

- Ivan Glasenberg

New, Next, Which, Cost

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