Lead Your Team To Do Their Best Work.
The Montessori Leader is a practical guide for entrepreneurs, managers, and business owners who want to lead with calm confidence—without micromanaging, burning out, or drowning in constant fires.
5.0 ★★★★★ on Amazon · Written for real leaders in real workplaces
Better leadership isn’t mysterious. It starts with clarity, respect, and common sense.
Most leadership struggles come down to familiar patterns: unclear expectations, people unsure of what “good” looks like, teams waiting on the leader for every step, or everyone running hard but rarely in the same direction.
This book shows a calmer, more human way to lead. A way built on observation, trust, and simple structures—much like the Montessori classrooms that inspired it.
Inside, you’ll find a leadership system that helps you:
- •Give people autonomy without losing your footing
- •Build a culture where people take ownership
- •Reduce chaos through thoughtful structure
- •Create a team that runs smoothly—even when you step away
It’s practical. It’s straightforward. It’s built for real workplaces and real people.
See the book on Amazon →What you will learn
What you’ll learn in The Montessori Leader
Clarity From Day One
People do their best work when expectations are simple and honest. The Day One Momentum framework helps you create that—without overcomplicating things.
Freedom With Accountability
Montessori taught that freedom works when boundaries are clear. The same is true in leadership. Learn a balanced approach that empowers people while keeping them aligned.
Structure That Actually Helps
Instead of more meetings, you’ll discover simple rhythms for communication, decisions, and daily work that reduce bottlenecks.
Listening That Changes Performance
Leadership begins with observation. Use calm, intentional listening to surface issues early and strengthen trust.
A Team That Solves Problems Together
By designing the “environment” of your workplace more thoughtfully, you encourage initiative and reduce the need to hover.
A Guide for Founders & Owners
If your business (or nonprofit) relies too heavily on you, this book gives you a roadmap for building something healthier and more sustainable.
What’s inside
A look inside the book
- ✓A leadership system grounded in clarity, trust, and steady habits
- ✓The Day One Momentum method for starting strong
- ✓The Freedom + Accountability Map for setting healthy boundaries
- ✓Templates for agreements, weekly check-ins, and feedback
- ✓A Leadership Environment Scorecard to assess how your team actually operates
- ✓Real stories from classrooms, companies, and lived leadership moments
- ✓No jargon, no academic theory—just tools you can use immediately
Includes downloadable scorecards, planners, and worksheets to help you apply the ideas.
Get the book + tools on Amazon →Examples
How leaders are using this book
Growing Team
Problem: A founder noticed their team waited on them for every decision.
Solution: After using the Freedom + Accountability Map, decisions started flowing to the right people. Within weeks, the founder had margin again—and the team felt trusted.
New Manager
Problem: A first-time manager struggled with giving feedback.
Solution: The Day One Momentum framework gave them a way to talk about expectations without anxiety. Confidence grew on both sides.
Retail / Service Business
Problem: A local business was stuck in nonstop chaos.
Solution: By changing the “environment”—clear checklists, better flow, small routines—stress dropped and consistency went up.
What readers say
What readers say
Operations Director
Multi-location Business
“We used this book to reset how our managers lead. It’s simple, honest, and the frameworks actually get used.”
Entrepreneur & Founder
Early-stage
“This wasn’t another motivational pep talk. It was a system I could apply the next morning.”
HR & People Leader
Mid-sized Team
“I give this to every new manager. It accelerates their confidence.”
Who should read this book?
Who should read this book?
Entrepreneurs & Business Owners
If you want your team to operate without you carrying every burden, these frameworks help you build healthier, stronger systems.
Create structure so you can focus on strategy, not emergencies.
Managers & Team Leads
Whether you’re new or seasoned, this book offers practical ways to set expectations, coach well, and help people grow.
Stop micromanaging and help your team grow.
People & HR Leaders
Use a shared leadership language to strengthen culture and improve retention—without more complicated programs.
Improve culture, retention, and engagement without another bloated program.
Get the tools
Get a free chapter + Leadership Scorecard
Every so often, I share practical leadership tools, small stories, and real examples of Montessori-style leadership in action. If you’d like those—plus a free chapter and the Leadership Scorecard—you can join here.
- •A free sample chapter
- •The Leadership Environment Scorecard (PDF)
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Buy
Buy the book
Straightforward leadership guidance for busy people who want to lead well.
About the author
Drexel Rothrauff
I’ve spent my life leading in places where the stakes are real—small businesses, multi-location operations, nonprofits, and classrooms. I’ve hired, trained, and coached managers; opened stores and built teams; and learned firsthand how clarity and trust can transform a workplace.
Montessori principles reshaped how I parent, teach, and lead. This book is a bridge between those ideas and the practical realities leaders face every day.
My hope is simple: that these ideas make your leadership feel a little clearer, a little calmer, and a lot more human.
Frequently asked questions
If you don’t see your question below, reach out and we’ll help.
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I don’t know anything about Montessori. Will this still make sense?
Absolutely. The book is written for business people. Montessori simply provides the structure—it’s not a study of education.
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What kinds of teams or businesses is this for?
The ideas work across retail, service, agencies, trades, nonprofits, startups, and corporate teams. Anywhere people work together.
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Is this theoretical or hands-on?
Hands-on. You’ll find checklists, frameworks, questions, and tools you can use immediately.
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How long is the book?
Intentionally concise—something you can read in a weekend and reference for years.
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Where can I buy it?
Kindle and paperback are available on Amazon.
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