Every now and then a leadership book arrives at the right moment. Not because it introduces entirely new ideas, but because it gives language and structure to things many leaders already sense but rarely make time to explore.
Grounded by Katrina Bourke is one of those books.
I first encountered Katrina’s work through professional learning at the Victorian Catholic Secondary Schools Deputy Principals Association conference, where her grounded leadership framework immediately resonated. Reading the book later felt like continuing an important conversation about how we lead, how we show up, and how we sustain ourselves in demanding roles.
At its heart, Grounded is not a book about leadership techniques. It is a book about leadership as a human practice.
Starting Close In
One of the most compelling ideas in the book is the invitation to “start somewhere”, or more precisely, to start close in. As educators and leaders, our instinct is often to move quickly towards action. Bourke challenges this reflex, suggesting that meaningful change begins not with doing, but with understanding.
Grounded leadership asks us to pause long enough to consider who we are as leaders, how we are currently showing up, and whether that aligns with the impact we hope to have. It requires sitting with uncertainty rather than immediately reaching for solutions, but this is where growth begins.
Mapping Your Sacred Ground
Central to Bourke’s framework is the idea of “sacred ground”, the evolving landscape of our values, beliefs and experiences that shape how we lead. The strongest leaders do not simply follow a map. They question it, adapt it and recognise when the landscape has changed.
In education, where the pace of change can encourage certainty over reflection, this emphasis on curiosity and self awareness feels particularly relevant. Understanding ourselves better allows us to lead others with greater clarity and empathy.
The Practice of Showing Up
What makes the book practical is the way reflection is translated into small, repeatable practices. Bourke encourages leaders to decide intentionally how they will show up each day, shifting leadership from reaction to intention.
There is also an important message around sustainability. Bourke challenges the culture in education that equates self sacrifice with commitment. Student learning sits at the centre of our work, but schools function best when the adults within them are supported and sustained. There is no either/or. There must be both.
Clear, Human Leadership
Communication is framed as an act of care. Clear and honest conversations, grounded in empathy and respect, are presented as leadership necessities rather than optional skills. Equally powerful is the question, “How am I complicit in creating the conditions I say I don’t want?”, which encourages leaders to focus on what sits within their control.
Perhaps the most refreshing aspect of Grounded is its rejection of perfection. Leadership is presented as inherently human and imperfect, with integrity rather than flawlessness as the goal.
Final Thoughts
Grounded is a calm and thoughtful contribution to the leadership space. It does not promise quick wins or dramatic change. Instead, it offers a framework for understanding yourself more deeply so that your leadership of others becomes clearer and more intentional.
For leaders in education, it is a timely reminder that leadership is not only about what we do, but about who we are while doing it.
