Alexander Dyukov, the CEO of Gazprom Neft, is the least typical of our athletic leaders. He is an introvert – meticulous, extremely polite and quiet. ‘When we first started working with Alexander,’ recalls Kirill Kravchenko, one of his deputies, ‘it was hard to decipher his reactions – whether he approved or disapproved of a particular proposal. We tried to “read” his feedback, even got together [to discuss it] in small groups, but still couldn't succeed.’ Yet Dyukov is as tough as can be, his ambition for winning is unparalleled and his adaptability is enviable.

No other protagonist of this book typifies the ‘Cool Head ’ dimension of athletic leadership as well as Dyukov. When oil prices dropped and the Russian economy plunged into a sharp depression in 2008, members of his team called for a swift revision of business strategy and drastic measures to cut costs, pointing to other companies that had already launched such measures. Dyukov stayed cool. He explained that he did not see any fundamental reasons for prolonged low oil prices and did not want to be led in his decision-making by temporary factors. Gazprom Neft cancelled some projects but remained committed to its growth strategy. Oil prices rebounded in less than 12 months. In 2016, in the second year of another Russian recession, when oil prices started to pick up, some of Dyukov's subordinates suggested that the time had come to curtail Gazprom Neft's drive to improve operational. The CEO answered with a firm nyet and explained, ‘The 50-dollar prices are there to stay and the only way to win is to become more efficient.’

Among his subordinates Alexander Dyukov is famous for never being satisfied with results, people, plans and actions. One of his deputies shares his view: ‘From time to time I ask myself the same question. Why don't we pause for a while? Why not celebrate success and praise those who achieved it? But then I continue pursuing a new goal and I feel good.