It’s my favourite time in my blog schedule when I shine a light on my incredible clients by way of my The Proust Questionnaire feature. Today we have fabulous Zoe Noble. Zoe is a breathtakingly clever marketing and business strategist who also happens to have a wicked sense of humour and a killer smirk.
The Proust Questionnaire by Zoe Noble
What’s your idea of perfect happiness?
Unrushed time with those I love, surrounded by beauty, sharing good food and great wine.
What is your greatest extravagance?
Lounging in our sitting room (think old school library feel, piles of books, wingback chairs, Persian carpet, Indiana-Jones chic antique furniture) with a glass of French bubbles and book in hand.
Or sitting out the back in the sun with a Spritz creating a byzantine mosaic (small tiles to make a big picture).
Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
How long can the list be?
I use “For lack of a better phrase” far too often. I’m a natural communicator, to many different audiences, but if I can’t articulate the specific tone I want, I’ll go to some easy rhetoric and caveat it “for lack of a better phrase”. Shrug.
In client engagements, the people I serve will always hear “This won’t get you that” “What got you here won’t get you there” and “what is your intention”. You could put money on that.
“Does that make sense” and “sorry” probably make too much of an appearance. Impostor Syndrome much?
My kids will hear me reminding them “I choose kind words” constantly.
What do you consider your greatest achievement?
My family life, as a collective. I’m madly in love with my husband and best friend of 20 years, we love (almost) all the same things – the aesthetic, renaissance art, jazz, travel in Italy, reading, movies, European food and wine. Because of his, together we have made a home we love, I run a business I’m passionate about that he supports me 100% and most importantly we have two little people that we created, parent and enjoy. Our shared life is very much living our dream.
What is your most treasured possession and why?
A slender Bvlgari Serpenti ring that Dave bought from the iconic Via Del Condotti store in Rome. We were travelling in Italy with our 2 year old son when I was 25 weeks pregnant with our daughter and our 10th wedding anniversary was coming up. I had joked about being owed some bling and whilst I pushed back, Dave insisted. It was the combination of location, memory, sentiment, generosity, luxury, indulgence and our entire little family being together.
What is your most marked characteristic?
My smile, I have smiley eyes and you can see emotion all over my face. Which is also to say, you can see when it’s missing. Awkward.
Who is your hero of fiction?
I don’t have one! Hero authors of fiction perhaps – F Scott Fitzgerald, Patricia Highsmith, Tim Parks – because of their ability to write witty prose in escapist settings with a compelling plot. But I’m not attached to any one fictional character.
Who are your heroes in real life?
The servant leaders I have had the privilege of working with and for throughout my life. There are probably 4 men who shaped who I am today, not just in my work life, but as a leader across my life. Humble, clear communicators who built up others before building themselves, acted with grace or kindness and set clear expectations that meant that you were empowered and safe.
I note that I didn’t list any females, they were four exceptional leaders who happened to be male. I am very much aware that when it comes to my corporate career, I have had the privilege of standing on the shoulders of those women who went before me to continually raise the glass ceiling. Without their toil, I wouldn’t have had the opportunities I have had.
What is your motto?
Oooh, I don’t know if I have one! There have been seasonal proverbs, currently, it is “It takes 1,000 small steps” (i.e. persevere with making the many, small, right actions, and the reward will come). A few years back it was “only just a tweak away” (i.e. often the change you need is not wholesale, but a small adjustment or realignment from where you are). Perhaps “Truth + Grace” is my enduring motto, never one without the other. A constant reminder to be kind in the striving for growth.
What is your story? aka your name, bio and biz details including the best place to find you.
I’m Zoe Noble, a Melbourne-based Strategy and Marketing Advisor. I work with leaders to pinpoint what problem to solve, get clear on their strategy and then translate that strategy into action. Specialising in go to market strategy and operational alignment, I work with leaders from across industries and functions. Catch me on LinkedIn at www.linkedin.com/in/zoegnoble or grab some time for a virtual coffee – I’d love to hear what’s going on in your world!
I love shining the spotlight on some of my clients and colleagues. If you’d like to know more about my work or would like the full 35 questions from the Questionnaire, please shoot me an email or give me a buzz, and I’ll respond in a jiffy.