Lead Boldly, Think Deeply by Katie Trowbridge presents a unique take on leadership by linking it with the principles of great teaching. The book emphasizes the importance of curiosity, thoughtful decision-making, and strong human connections.

It encourages leaders to ask better questions, think more deeply, and lead with empathy rather than authority. Simple yet impactful, it offers practical insights for building stronger teams and a positive work culture.

There are many leadership books out there, some good. A lot repetitive. And then there's this book. Much can be said about teaching being seen as a thankless profession, but true leadership can often be the same. Trowbridge fills the gap between educators and success in other sectors. The book goes back to the old adage to thank a teacher for being able to do skill X. Leadership is no different. When we think back to great teachers, they are great leaders. The strength of this book is how Trowbridge discusses what roles these impactful teachers have in the classrooms and with individual students, and how those skills can be parlayed into other contexts.

Katie Trowbridge’s Lead Boldly, Think Deeply reimagines leadership through the lens of teaching, arguing that the best leaders—like the best teachers—spark curiosity, build trust, and foster deeper thinking. Structured as a "leadership semester," the book introduces the CREATE Method™, a six-part framework (Content Curator, Risk Facilitator, Experience Navigator, Attitude Shifter, Team Transformer, Evaluation Designer) to help leaders cultivate cultures of innovation and psychological safety.

Katie emphasizes curiosity as a leadership superpower, highlighting five essential questions—"Why?", "What if?", "Why do you think that?", "What now?", and "What’s next?"—to drive engagement, challenge assumptions, and turn ideas into action. The book is packed with practical tools, like the Curiosity Culture Rubric and Dialogue Workshop exercises, making it easy to apply the concepts in real-world settings.

What sets this book apart is its warm, conversational tone and relatable anecdotes, such as Katie’s own transformative experience with a high school teacher who turned an "F" into a lesson in resilience. While the classroom metaphor occasionally feels stretched, the book’s human-centered approach resonates deeply, offering a refreshing alternative to traditional, top-down leadership models.

Lead Boldly, Think Deeply is ideal for leaders, educators, and anyone seeking to create more engaged, innovative teams. It’s a thought-provoking, actionable guide that inspires readers to lead with courage, curiosity, and heart.