MORGAN Stanley president Colm Kelleher really does not want the interview to be about him. He is happy to share his views on current events, banking and leadership, but ask him about himself and his first response is to try to change the topic.

"Most people at Morgan Stanley actually don't particularly like the cult of the individual. We do think it's about the firm, we do think it's about the team, and we kind of get a bit embarrassed, with respect, when we talk about ourselves, right? You know? So you don't see much written about me in the newspapers, and that's deliberate. I think I'm a steward of this franchise, passing it on to other people. But you still want to ask your question, right?"

With that unspoken warning not to pursue the kind of fluff pieces that focus on the subject's football team (Chelsea in the Premier League) or choice of sins (cigars and fine wine), Mr Kelleher made it clear that what matters to him is substance. You want an interview? Let's make it about things that matter. You want to run a bank? Let's not lose sight of our duty to our clients. You were surprised by the latest election results? Let's see what the actual policies are going to be before passing judgement.