Steinar Hoen
Steinar Hoen is a Norwegian high jump record holder, European gold medalist, stockbroker, adventurer, investor, and now the driving force behind making the Oslo Bislett Games the world's most sustainable sports event. Throughout his career, he's worked systematically toward achieving goals, not only in the stadium but also by redefining the vision for the Oslo Bislett Games. We asked Steinar Hoen what high jumping would be like without a bar—a scenario similar to running a business or project without goals—before delving into the range of goals he pursued during his athletic career.
Discussions with Steinar Hoen and insights from the IGS methodology showed that sports and business share similarities. In sports, setting a range of goals and achieving consistency over time is key. The De-Risk Matrix brings this approach to business.
“I needed balance between my goals.
I couldn't become too strong, because that would slow me down.”
- Steinar Hoen
"High jumping without a bar makes no sense—not just for the jumper but for the coach, spectators, and sponsors. The same goes for business: without goals, there's nothing to aim for or strive toward. I would lose passion and couldn't sell the idea."
"A bar provides clarity in both high jumping and business. If I don't know the height, I can't plan my approach. Should I use full speed at takeoff? I don't know, and there's a risk of injury if the height and goal aren't clear."
"When I know the height of the bar, I know what it takes to clear it. With this clarity, I can create a plan to achieve it."
"When I was competing, the competition was intense, with a focus on clearing 2.4 meters. But consistent high jumps over an entire season, and across seasons, were key to winning regularly and making a living. I had more than just one big goal. From experience, I knew how high I needed to jump at different events to be successful.”