In this fascinating episode, Kate shares her inspiring journey from social work and probation to founding NEON, a deeply human leadership consultancy. She discusses the importance of vulnerability, authenticity, and the power of saying yes to life and career changes, emphasising how organisations can become more human-centered.
Key Topics
- Kate's journey from social work to management consulting to coaching
- The importance of vulnerability and authenticity in leadership
- How organisations can become more human-centered
- The significance of saying yes to opportunities and life changes
- The ARISE framework for deeply human leadership
- The impact of personal experiences on professional purpose
- Balancing productivity with emotional well-being
- The role of reflection and self-awareness in leadership
- Kate's upcoming book and speaking engagements
Sound Bites
"Deeply human is my version of exceptional"
"Organisational life doesn't have to be a hamster wheel"
"Say yes to life and your heart's desire"
Resources:
See all of Kate’s resources here: https://linktr.ee/katejonesneon
The ARISE framework scorecard https://kate-u3u2tcrp.scoreapp.com
The Power of Regret: How Looking Backward Moves Us Forward by Daniel Pink
Philip Larkin’s poem 'For Sidney Bechet' where he says "On me your voice falls as they say love should, Like an enormous yes.”
Check out the Speak and Shine Summit here: https://www.brand.kieradair.com/early-bird-oct-2026
About Me Kier Adair:
I’m a Visibility Expert, Brand Photographer, Keynote Speaker, and Best-Selling Author, passionate about empowering women to step up with confidence, speak out with clarity, and be seen for who they truly are.
I founded The Speak and Shine Collection, a community designed to help women take the stage, share their voice, and create powerful visual assets that elevate their speaking careers. What began as a platform has grown into a movement — one built on visibility, opportunity, and connection, with women uplifting each other every step of the way.
Before launching my business, I spent more than two decades at Marks & Spencer Plc, leading Visual Merchandising across Central Europe as part of the International Group. That experience shaped my understanding of visual branding, audience impact, and the power of showing up fully.
Now, I blend my creative eye, strategic insight, and passion for women’s empowerment to help my clients move from unseen and unheard to unstoppable.
Connect with Me:
Website: kieradair.com
LinkedIn: /kier-adair
Instagram: /kier_adair/
About Kate Jones:
Kate is a leadership development expert, speaker and author who has been running her own business, Neon since 2013. This is Chapter 3 of her career as she has gone through various reinventions along the way. She went from being an Oxford Modern Languages graduate to a social worker and probation officer (Chapter 1). From frontline social care to corporate management consulting (Chapter 2). And then from consulting to solopreneurship and flying the Neon flag (Chapter 3).
Kate specialises in developing Deeply Human leadership capability in mission-driven organisations as she passionately believes that humanity is both the ultimate leadership superpower and the key to creating a happy life full of connection, purpose, creativity and wellbeing.
Deeply Human leadership is the topic of the book Kate has recently written called Deeply Human: Why the world of work is broken and how leaders can fix it.
Connect with Kate:
Website: deeplyneon.com
Linktree: /katejonesneon
LinkedIn: /katerjones
