The 7 Competencies of Global Leadership Workbook: An Interview with Reflective Practitioner, Educator and Coach Dr. Mary GroganTo support medical students’ growth, medical educators need to recognize that physicians’ roles are rapidly changing. In medical education, just as in healthcare, influencing people to work together to achieve a common constructive purpose – health and wellness of the population we serve – hinges on good leadership. One powerful way to develop leadership includes reflection on one’s experiences – a powerful way to learn. As educator and co-active coach, Dr. Mary Grogan has spent a lifetime inspiring and supporting students, teachers, families, and a variety of professionals to realize their potentials and dreams. In her book, the 7 Cs of Global Leadership, Dr. Mary Grogan offers a framework of empowerment and the practice of regular reflection to critically review and learn from your daily experiences and create action plans for positive change. I had the pleasure to interview Dr. Grogan about how to use the framework of the seven competencies of a conscious leader to create positive change in your home, workplace, and community. Listen to the full interview here: Interview Highlights - Transcript: Elisabeth Schlegel: Today I am here with coaching expert and book author Dr. Mary Grogan to talk about her new book, The 7 Cs of Global Leadership. Coming from a humanistic standpoint, it is amazing how much you embrace inclusion and diversity, and how much you reach out and see the value in each and everything we do. Your book is such a beautiful and passionate vision that we all belong to a global community in which we have to lead with integrity. Mary, can you tell me a little bit more about the book? Mary Grogan: I think I've always been a reflective practitioner in my education. I was a teacher since I was 18 years old, and I always took time to think about the learned….. perhaps because I was so young, always curious about people, and living in a diverse city (Toronto, CA). I have always been in schools with refugees and immigrants. In some cases, I was very much the minority, so I've always wanted to learn from them, and I became a natural reflective practitioner. Initially, I assumed that this whole idea of reflective practice was unique. Once I got involved in Behavioral Science at Ross University School of Medicine, I wondered if the behavioral interviews asked the right questions, including humanity and a holistic approach to medicine and people’s suffering. I wondered if a connection was missed. So I started to really think about it and then to combine reflective practice with the service-learning project for Ross University School of Medicine [medical students served the underprivileged community for blood pressure measuring or taking a medical history]. Initially, I believed that only few medical students were reflecting on their educational journey; however, once I set out to do qualitative research, I heard more and more stories about including the cultural and human aspect, and I realized, I was assuming wrong, people do reflect, just not very openly and guided. That’s when I thought, maybe I could leave something behind that people could pick up and put it in their desk and use it as an ongoing guide for personal and professional development. I had the vision that for a competency-based education, there ought to be a competency-based strength builder – and the book was the result. I wrote this book as if going on a trip internally. Little did I know…..I wrote the book prior to the pandemic, and it's been shocking that people think I'd written it during a pandemic, because of the concept of pausing – when, in fact, that is a quality of practice that I've always applied. Elisabeth Schlegel: Thank you, Mary. The seven Cs of global leadership signify seven competencies. Is there one competency that stands out for you? Mare Grogan: The Cs in the image on the book cover are arranged in a circle. There is an equal quality to any of the Cs [competencies]…… the same way that there is equity when we humans are in a circle. So in a way, you yourself are connected as being the first C in the book, and I believe that we are accountable to ourselves, to our vision and our dreams. Until we take ownership of our own potential and leadership, I don't think we can empower others to contribute their part. So I really believe that connecting to yourself is the basis of any leadership self-awareness. If you're emotionally unaware, if you're culturally unaware, if you're unaware of how groups form or change processes, and you've never really looked at yourself and your role, then you're not grabbing your own power to really make a difference. Elisabeth Schlegel: Thank you, Mary! Now – what I am curious about, can you explain the connection between your own teaching experiences and your leadership vision? Mare Grogan: Absolutely, I think it's a great connection. Thank you, Elisabeth! For me, there is such an energy to tap into your potential and to light a fire in somebody else…..as an educator of children or adults, recognizing that we have a connection, and a relationship is a powerful energizer and a base with which to explore depth and breadth of experience. There's no one in our company who doesn't have an experience of who they are, and we don't know that until we connect. Teaching is the most incredible profession because of the possibilities of opening up experiences as we connect with each other. I think education is incredible…. it doesn't have to be in a classroom. I think some people unfortunately are trained that there is a sage on the stage….but those days are over because continuous learning will imply that we're all self-directed and in exchange with each other. As an example, I often come to you with a question regarding science, and you consult with me on topics of reflective practice….. so there is power in sharing and uplifting each other's gifts. Elisabeth Schlegel: I always learn so much from my students …..it is a beautiful way to keep this continuum. Mare Grogan: Yes – teachers who are also visionary leaders aim for their students to be empowered – and it must be conceptually in a space that is safe and inclusive. Then, there's innovation, creativity, and curiosity …….a space alive, colorful with different people. There is mutual fulfillment…in the same space where I am a leader is also a space for you to explore what you need. Elisabeth Schlegel: Thank you so much! With your book, you truly drive a big vision, and you want to go above and beyond with this …..so Mary, why don't you tell us! Mary Grogan: My vision is to support anyone contemplating leadership … maybe they are already in a leadership position, but they really have not contemplated how to lead. There are leaders who struggling to do it alone, which is counterproductive and not possible. My vision is to provide opportunities for small groups to come together and reflect together – in circles. There is healing and support that happens in circles, and I will be offering reflective practice coaching or reflective circles for anyone interested in exploring and deepening their own potential. I envision weekly sessions, and although I've had some people who come to me independently, I'm hopeful that I'll be able to do that in a group. I will use the book as a base for people to identify what they need, and it will be truly a reflective approach. It’s all about your leadership, as well just expanding and offering this kind of dialogue….. entering dialogue with other leaders is the way to go. In this world, leaders need each other, for deepening each other’s potential. Elisabeth Schlegel: Thank you, Mary! References Dickson, G., & Tholl, B. (Eds.). (2020). Bringing Leadership to Life in Health: LEADS in a Caring Environment: Putting LEADS to Work. Springer Nature. Grogan, M. (2020). The 7Cs of Global Leadership: An Inward Journey to Tapping Into Your Potential. Black Card Books.
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