Viv Grant on Creativity, Courage and Inner Wisdom

“Winter will take you by surprise.” Leadership coach and former headteacher Viv Grant was about to begin her PhD on wholeness when she got the call about her cancer diagnosis. 

Viv shares with host Liz Worthen how in this crisis she picked up a brush, began to paint – and couldn’t stop. By ‘Learning to Walk in the Dark’ (the title of her book), Viv discovered the power of the five Cs: curiosity, commitment, courage, compassion and connection. 

Through their conversation, find out more about the relevance of trees and fire to Viv’s recovery, connecting with your inner wisdom, the impact of race on health, and how Viv is bringing her learning to her work with school leaders.

Viv Grant is Director and Founder of Integrity Coaching, helping headteachers and MAT leaders to navigate pressure, burnout and isolation. Her book ‘Learning to Walk in the Dark’ invites readers on a personal journey through adversity, inspired by Viv’s own experience in overcoming cancer. 

Liz Worthen’s career in education spans teaching, training, commissioning and programme development. Creating Value in Schools is all about sustainable working: taking care of people, planet and resources to secure better outcomes for children and communities.

• ‘Learning to Walk in the Dark’ by Viv Grant: https://www.integritycoaching.co.uk/learning-to-walk-in-the-dark/
• Listen to John O’Donohue read his poem, ‘A Blessing for a Friend on the Arrival of Illness’, https://www.johnodonohue.com/jod-media
• The work of Joy DeGruy on post traumatic slave syndrome: https://www.joydegruy.com/post-traumatic-slave-syndrome
• Find other recommended reads in the Creating Value in Schools bookshop: https://uk.bookshop.org/shop/createvalueschools
• Find out more about Integrity Coaching: https://www.integritycoaching.co.uk/
• Coaching circles for headteachers: https://www.integritycoaching.co.uk/programmes/learning-to-walk-in-the-dark-headteacher-coaching-circles/
• Leading with Depth – The Quiet Question That Changes Everything: https://www.integritycoaching.co.uk/blog/overcoming-blocks-next-level-leadership/   
• Leadership lessons from crisis: https://createvalueschools.com/blog/take-time-and-things-will-get-better-leadership-lessons/

00:00 Personal Sustainability Intro

01:20 Cancer Diagnosis Shock

03:36 Discovering Painting Therapy

07:44 Soul Wisdom In Crisis

11:18 Nature Lessons And Leadership

13:10 Race Health Inequalities

16:19 Fire Symbolism And Rebirth

18:08 The Five Cs Framework

22:00 Creativity With Headteachers

25:56 Changing Education Culture

28:07 Publishing The Book Yourself

30:26 Books That Inspire Connection

33:04 Closing Thanks And Next Steps