I have always been in favour of taking a stance, standing up for clearly defined viewpoints, always being open for dialogue, and positioning the Bundesbank ahead of the curve. During my term of office, I felt my natural role was as the Bundesbank’s ambassador.
That was not just how I interpreted the position itself – it was also a deep-seated passion of mine to heighten the Bundesbank’s standing – in the world of banking, in the markets, among other German and global institutions, in the fiscal policy sphere, in matters of economic education – 1/5  BIS central bankers' speeches  and to accomplish all that not only in Germany, but around the globe.