Vladimir lapshin: “if you promised something, fulfill it”

We continue the “Frankly speaking” section. Its heroes are employees of the Mosmetrostroy group of companies, who share their rules of life with readers and speak honestly about themselves. This time we talked with the chief engineer of Mosmetrostroy JSC Vladimir Lapshin. He recalled his first steps in the profession against the background of the 1980 Olympics and explained why he did not have a favorite book.

I was born in Moscow, in the Tekstilshchiki district. In fact, he lived his entire life in the southeast of the capital.

Like many of the Metro Construction leaders, he entered the Moscow Institute of Railway Transport Engineers. My father recommended the Faculty of Bridges and Tunnels to me. This, as they said then, was “the blue blood of MIIT.”

When we were studying, the 1980 Summer Olympics were held. It was preceded by the large-scale construction of Olympic facilities, to which two courses from the faculty were involved. We, the tunnelers, were sent to the construction of the Ilyich Square station. There I felt in my own hands what it meant to build a metro and how pleasant it was to invest part of myself in a common cause.

I definitely understood at the institute that I would go to Metrostroy to build deep stations, the subway. I chose SMU-7 - an experienced team that had worked for decades, where everyone was great professionals.

The success of Mosmetrostroy has always been ensured by a living continuity of generations, by people who have worked for decades. Young people came to replace them and were brought up in the same spirit: to treat work the same way, to rejoice in success in the same way.

The most important thing in work is order, discipline and professionalism.

What I value most in people is openness and honesty. If you promised something, you'll hurt yourself, but fulfill it. Like the golden rule in chess: “If you get it, move!”

I don’t accept it if a person doesn’t have his own opinion, doesn’t keep his word and can commit deception. Honesty comes first! Both between colleagues, and in relationships between people in general.

I try to follow the rule: “I gave my word, keep it.” However, in our difficult times, we have to adhere to another principle: “Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst.”

Of board games, I prefer chess. Among the team sports is football. I also love swimming, and in winter – alpine skiing.

I don’t have a favorite book. What does it mean - favorite book? That it should be re-read once a month? There's definitely no time for that. I like history books, historical novels. I read both our authors (Klyuchevsky, Valishevsky, Yan) and foreign ones.

I have been interested in history since school. I can trace and analyze what is happening now, but the past is ambiguous for me. Therefore, I read books and try to formulate my own understanding of the historical sequence and events.

I love Gaidai’s comedies, they have very subtle humor. I don't see this in our current comedy films.

I can boast that I have two children who have already provided me with four grandchildren.

Having worked in leadership positions, I cultivated a love of order. One of the rules that I teach my children and will teach my grandchildren is to be decent. I want them to maintain order in their affairs, actions and goodwill in relationships. I also want them to be moderately athletic, but most importantly, happy and healthy.