How Personal Crisis Can Shape Professional Growth
Integrity Coaching Ltd
Harnessing the power of coaching to transform school leadership and inspire future generations.
Blog by Viv Grant
If someone had told me, when I was diagnosed with a rare cancer in 2023, that my experience would lead to a book, I would have looked at them through a veil of tears and told them they had no idea what I was going through. At that moment, the very thought felt impossible and neither had it crossed my mind, that my own journey of recovery could hold light for others.
Yet here I am, eighteen months later, marking the launch of?Learning to Walk in the Dark?on World Cancer Day. This book is more than a reflection on survival—it is a testament to the ways in which crisis can shape who we become, not just personally, but professionally as well.
From Crisis to Transformation
Cancer brought me to my knees. It forced me into stillness, stripping away the familiar structures of my life. Yet, in that darkness, I discovered something unexpected: growth. I found myself grappling with deep questions—Who am I now? How do I move forward?—and through that process, I realised that my experience held lessons, not just for myself, but for others, too.
This book is the result of those lessons. It is a guide for navigating life’s toughest moments, offering comfort and practical support. It is about finding resilience, about learning how to lead even when the path ahead is unclear.
The Intersection of Personal Crisis and Professional Growth
As a former Headteacher and now an Executive Coach, I know how much leadership demands from us. In education, we often speak about resilience, but what does resilience really mean when you are confronted with profound personal hardship?
Through my journey, I learned that resilience isn’t about pushing through at all costs. It’s about:
These lessons are as relevant to leadership as they are to personal healing.?Learning to Walk in the Dark?is not just a book about cancer—it is about what happens when life forces us into the unknown and how we emerge from it, changed and with a greater understanding of our own unique paths towards wholeness.
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A Resource for School Leaders and Beyond
I wrote this book with many audiences in mind, but I know that school leaders will find particular resonance in its pages.
Leadership can be overwhelming, isolating, and emotionally draining. So often, we are expected to be the unwavering pillar of strength for those around us. But what happens when we, ourselves, are struggling?
I hope that the reflections and coaching prompts in?Learning to Walk in the Dark?offer both solace and strength. I hope they encourage leaders to take care of themselves, to embrace their own humanity, and to lead with authenticity even in difficult times.
Giving Back
This book is not just about my journey; it is also about supporting others. That’s why I’m donating?5% of the profits from each book sold to Yes to Life, a charity dedicated to supporting people affected by cancer. Their guidance and care have been invaluable to me, and I’m grateful to contribute to their ongoing work.
Join the Journey
If you are facing your own season of darkness, whether through illness, loss, or another personal challenge, I hope that this book speaks to you. I hope it offers a sense of companionship, a reminder that even in the depths of uncertainty, there is still light to be found.
You can learn more and purchase?Learning to Walk in the Dark?here Learning To Walk In The Dark – Integrity Coaching Or find it on Amazon by clicking here. Click to buy on Amazon.
Thank you to everyone who has supported me on this journey. If this book resonates with you, I’d love to hear your thoughts.
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