Rosie Mead FIoL.
Managing Director, Musica Music and Wellbeing.
What do you do now?
I run a not-for-profit organisation called Musica Music and Wellbeing CIC. We support the well-being of people living with dementia, through empowering healthcare professionals to embed music into daily dementia care. We do this predominantly through online courses, coaching and support networks.
Where did your career start?
I established Musica back in 2010 when I was in the final year of a Music Degree at Bath Spa University. I was facing a crossroads in terms of my career and academic interests. At the time I was volunteering at a local hospital, performing on my clarinet for patients and singing. I was amazed by the effect the music had on patients living with Dementia, and explored this area further, writing my undergraduate dissertation on the subject of the role of music in the lives of older adults. I entered the Bath Spa University business plan competition with my idea to provide music workshops and performances in care homes and hospitals. I won the competition, and with the support of business mentoring and a grant of £1,000 provided from the University, Musica was born!
My academic interests and social entrepreneurship have continued to go hand in hand. I have a Masters Degree in Music Psychology and have recently submitted my PhD thesis in Music Sociology, on the subject of meaningful music within dementia care. My vision has always been to live in a world where people living with dementia and their caregivers feel supported, connected and better able to live well with the condition. The enthusiasm and passion for this mission, which began right at the beginning of my career, has propelled the business forward.
Has there been a stage in your life where you first appreciated what great leadership looked like?
Working with a number of NHS trusts both as a community musician and academic researcher, I have seen absolutely amazing leadership in action. From my experience, great leadership consists of nurturing relationships, bringing others on board with your vision and empowering them to be an active part of your mission and culture of the team. This is where amazing change can happen.
Do you have any examples of what you have done to develop yourself as a leader?
In my own experience as a leader, I work closely with those in my team (in my case this includes my small company team and also the wider network of healthcare professionals learning through my courses and coaching), I take the time to understand their needs and adapt my support accordingly. I love to learn, reading books on the subjects of leadership as well as high performance. I love to read EDGE magazine, naturally! I’m constantly inspired by others, so talking with other leaders, reading about their experiences, fires me up to develop my own leadership skills.
How do you think Leadership has benefitted you?
Leadership has really shaped me as an individual, it has prompted me to not only follow my mission and vision but to be able to articulate these and bring others on the journey with me. One person can do so much, but a community can move mountains. I’m very proud to be a leader and as a Fellow of The Institute of Leadership, to feel part of an amazing community, making an incredible change in the world.
Website: www.musica-music.co.uk