Guardian Q&A

Q&A taken from the Guardian magazine, today’s edition. 

1. When were you happiest? Exploring new places with my family.

2. What is your earliest memory? Turning around from the little jump seat attached to the front of the pram and seeing my baby brother lying behind me.

3. Which living person do you most admire and why? Michelle Obama. For remaining intelligent, warm and extraordinarily composed while being scrutinised in a way few of us could withstand.

4. What is the trait you most deplore in yourself? Worrying about the people I love as though it might somehow keep them safe.

5. What is the trait you most deplore in others? A complete lack of self-awareness.

6. What was your most embarrassing moment? Getting vertigo in the middle of an important presentation and attempting to carry on while the room revolved around me. I’m nothing if not committed to appearing competent.

7. Describe yourself in three words. Kind, funny and complicated.

8. What would your superpower be? Reading people’s minds—although, after a lifetime in HR, I really ought to know better.

9. What is your most unappealing habit?

I have a worry thumb that I pick at when I’m anxious. Regular manicures help varnish over the evidence. Poetic, really.

10. What was the last lie that you told? How much the hire car in the UK cost.