From Classrooms to Conference Rooms: Why the Future of Leadership Begins with Curiosity

In today’s workplaces, many teams operate in perpetual “fire‑drill” mode—reacting to crises, struggling with disengagement, and watching promising ideas stall before they gain traction. Katie Trowbridge, former corporate strategist, veteran educator, and now CEO of Curiosity 2 Create, believes the remedy lies not in another productivity app, but in rekindling fearless curiosity and deeper thinking.

Trowbridge draws on a career that spans corporate marketing, two master’s degrees, and more than two decades in education. Those experiences inspired The CREATE Method™, a framework blending curiosity, creativity, critical thinking, and connection—principles that foster innovation in classrooms and boardrooms alike.

The Unexpected Leadership Laboratory

Trowbridge’s journey began in corporate marketing, where she recognised a disquieting trend: mission statements that prioritised profit over people. Disenchanted, she pivoted to education, discovering that teaching was the most effective leadership training she could have received. Over the next twenty years, she observed parallels between students and employees—both flourish when empowered to think independently, yet often default to “safe” scripts when curiosity is stifled.

A Leadership Identity Crisis

Recent Gallup data shows only 32 percent of employees are engaged at work, while 67 percent of senior managers report feeling overwhelmed by daily operations. Trowbridge contends that many leaders are trapped in survival mode, chasing short‑term wins while long‑term trust quietly erodes. Organisations, she argues, have overvalued speed and certainty, and undervalued curiosity, connection, and reflective thinking.

Four Principles Reshaping Modern Leadership

1. Lead with Questions, Not Answers – High‑impact leaders cultivate psychological safety by posing thoughtful questions such as “What are we missing?” and “How might we approach this differently?”
2. Build Capacity, Not Dependence – Like exemplary teachers, they invest in developing others’ capabilities rather than merely delegating tasks.
3. Bridge Generations Through Purpose – Effective leaders unite multi‑generational teams around a shared mission rather than one‑size‑fits‑all incentives.
4. Transform Failure into Learning – They create environments where experimentation and feedback trump blame, enabling innovation to flourish.

Where Education Meets Executive Impact

Through workshops, keynotes, and coaching, Trowbridge demonstrates that the tools of great teaching translate seamlessly into unforgettable leadership. Her clients include superintendents, CEOs, and organisations eager to move from reactive management to cultures where people “light up” rather than merely show up.

The Deeper Thinking Advantage

Central to her message is the power of intentional inquiry. Deeper thinking, she asserts, is not simply about intelligence but about pausing to ask, “What truly matters here?” Whether guiding a leadership team, mentoring future innovators, or launching a new venture, Trowbridge positions curiosity as the spark that converts small moments into lasting impact.

A Practical First Step

She recommends a deceptively simple practice: at the next team meeting, replace the first statement with a question and observe the shift in dialogue and engagement. The future of leadership, she concludes, belongs to those who ask better questions and create space for collaborative solutions.

Learn more at curiosity2create.org and katietrowbridge.com.