"I think when people talk about ambition and talking to him, it might have seemed that he wasn't ambitious"

In this quote, Alan Hansen is reflecting on the perception of a person's aspiration, through the juxtaposition of how somebody is talked about ("when people discuss ambition and speaking with him") versus how their aspiration is viewed ("it might have seemed that he wasn't ambitious"). At the core, the quote delves into the interesting idea of external understanding versus internal reality.

Hansen seems to be attending to a disparity in between what individuals assume or observe about someone's drive and perseverance, and the real, potentially internalized, ambition of that individual. When going over "him", it's possible Hansen is describing a specific individual who, despite not outwardly displaying timeless qualities of ambition-- such as assertiveness, obvious goal-setting, or vocalizing aspirations-- still has an ingrained, perhaps quiet determination.

The phrase "it may have seemed" is particularly telling; it recommends that the person in concern may have been misinterpreted or undervalued. Some people might not express their ambitions with flamboyance or self-promotion, resulting in an understanding that they do not have drive. Rather, their aspirations manifest in subtler, less obvious methods-- through consistency, durability, or an internal focus-- qualities that can be ignored if one only relates ambition with visible assertiveness and outspoken objectives.

Hansen may be highlighting the broader theme that aspiration does not fit a singular mold. Individuals reveal their aspirations diversely, often formed by individual experiences, cultural backgrounds, or characteristic. Such a point of view motivates a deeper understanding of how aspiration is revealed and viewed, recommending against rash judgments based only on surface-level observations.

Eventually, the quote recommends a call to review how aspiration is recognized and affirmed, attending to those whose inner drive may be unfaltering yet unpublicized. It serves as a tip that aspiration is multifaceted and that true drive frequently needs an understanding beyond the superficial.