This empowering book launches the new Cancer Compass; an essential
self-leadership resource for people facing cancer. It extends its reach to
caregivers, healthcare professionals, and organisations committed to offering
meaningful support to anyone in their workforce dealing with cancer. It
encourages us to see cancer not solely as a medical challenge, but as a
profound moment to honour the resilience of our human spirit, embrace growth,
and reclaim control of our lives for a brighter future.
Teresa Ferreiro-Vilariño challenges her readers to shift their perspective, prioritising personal empowerment, connection and purposeful living. Her insights about resilience coaching and each person’s human potential are uplifting. Her book is deeply rooted in practical application, including thoughtful exercises and tools that prompt us to access our inner resources, engage in self-discovery and cultivate our secure bases. These unique gifts guide us to align our decisions with our values and goals, helping us chart a path forward with choice, clarity and confidence.
Excerpt
Foreward
It is both an honour and a privilege to introduce Teresa Ferreiro-Vilariño’s remarkable book, Navigate Cancer: Coaching for Resilience. My connection with Teresa began at IMD (International Institute for Management Development), where her transformative coaching work has left a lasting impact on our leadership programs. Over the years, I have observed her unparalleled ability to guide leaders through some of their most daunting challenges. Teresa’s wisdom and sincere empathy have enriched us all. It is also the foundation for this inspiring book.
Teresa builds on core concepts central to my own work—like the power of ‘secure bases,’ those relationships or guiding values that anchor us in times of adversity. She emphasises the importance of making deliberate choices and explores how grief, while deeply painful, can act as a catalyst for healing and growth. It is profoundly moving to see how she has refined these ideas into a framework uniquely suited for navigating the complexities of life with cancer. Through meticulous research and firsthand experience, Teresa has crafted a pioneering framework that empowers individuals to approach their circumstances with courage, dignity, and purpose.
At the heart of this book is a transformative message: while cancer presents undeniable hardship, it also opens the door to meaningful personal growth. Teresa challenges readers to shift their perspective, viewing cancer not as an enemy to conquer but as a journey—one that prioritizes empowerment, connection, and purposeful living. Her reflections on resilience and human potential are uplifting and deeply rooted in practical application.
What truly sets this book apart is its hands-on and reflective content. Teresa offers thoughtful exercises and tools that prompt readers to access their inner resources, engage in self-discovery, and cultivate secure bases. These tools guide individuals in aligning their decisions with their values and goals, helping them chart a path forward with clarity and confidence. While the principles in this book foster resilience in leaders in all contexts, I am inspired by how Teresa has adapted them to support self-leadership for people facing cancer.
Her insights are grounded in rigorous academic work, drawing from her doctoral research on coaching and personal empowerment. At the same time, the inclusion of personal stories gives the book a warmth and relatability that makes its lessons accessible to all. This seamless integration of theory and real-life experience ensures the book’s credibility while making its message profoundly human.
While this book is an essential resource for people facing cancer, it extends its reach to caregivers, healthcare professionals, and organisations committed to offering meaningful support to anyone dealing with cancer. It encourages us to see cancer not solely as a medical challenge but as a profound moment to honour the resilience of the human spirit, embrace growth, and reclaim control over our lives.
Reflecting on Teresa’s personal journey of facing cancer and the work we’ve shared, I am moved by her unwavering commitment to empowering other people. Her rare ability to combine compassion with actionable strategies. She has a deep understanding of self-leadership and leading others that make her coaching uniquely transformative. With this book, she offers a roadmap for confronting life’s formidable challenges with inspiration, grace, and hope.
Whether you are a leader, a caregiver, or a person touched by cancer, this book reminds us that resilience, determination, and purpose lie within each of us. No one needs to be a hostage to a cancer diagnosis. This is a must-read book. Read it fully, engage deeply, and let Teresa’s wisdom inspire your journey to recover the full joy of life.
Professor George Kohlrieser, distinguished professor of leadership and organisational behaviour at IMD Business School, Switzerland
About the Author
Teresa Ferreiro-Vilariño is the Founder and CEO of
Kimberlite
(
https://www.kimberlite.es), an innovative organisation dedicated to providing
comprehensive support to people navigating cancer—particularly within
corporate settings—through professional coaching. A
Master Certified
Coach (MCC) accredited by the International Coaching Federation (ICF), Teresa
brings
more than 20 years of experience working with leaders and organisations
worldwide.
At the age of 36, a breast cancer diagnosis marked a turning point in her
life, redirecting her focus toward empowering people living with cancer. In
the years that followed, she authored her first book, I Have Breast
Cancer–What Now?, recognised for its inspirational and practical
guidance, embraced motherhood, and founded a charitable initiative supporting
young women navigating motherhood after cancer. She later earned a PhD focused
on applying professional coaching methodologies to the specific needs of
people facing serious health challenges. In recognition of her commitment to
patient advocacy, she was honoured with the European Patient Champion Award by
EyeforPharma in 2019.
Teresa is also an executive coach and coaches across multiple programs at IMD
Business School in Lausanne, Switzerland, including the flagship
High-Performance Leadership (HPL) Program, supporting leaders in developing
resilience, clarity, and sustainable performance.
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