“I feel like I’m drowning in decisions” is a common catchcry of many school leaders surrounded by towering stacks of paperwork, curriculum changes, staff development plans, and endless emails from concerned parents. It’s clear that school leadership isn’t just a balancing act; it’s a constant juggling of priorities, all while trying to stay afloat in the churning waters of day-to-day operations.

But what if, instead of just surviving, school leaders could steer the ship with precision and confidence—strategically navigating the complexities of their environment?

What if some of the most effective strategies for schools aren’t intuitive but counterintuitive?

The truth is that the most strategic schools don’t merely follow conventional wisdom. They embrace methods that, at first glance, may seem to contradict what we believe about leadership and growth.

From celebrating stability to competing against themselves, these schools are rewriting the playbook on how to thrive.

In this post, we explore seven critical counterintuitive approaches that successful schools use to lead the way. Drawing on examples from the business world, including insights from Cascade's article on the best business strategies, let’s dive into these surprising approaches that can transform how school leaders approach their work.

1. Embracing Failure as a Strategic Asset

Most of us view failure as something to avoid. However, the most innovative schools understand that failure is not a stop sign; it’s a detour to better solutions. Just as in the business world, where “fail fast, learn faster” has become a mantra, schools must see failure as a necessary part of learning and growth.

One principal I worked with summed it up perfectly: “If we’re not failing, we’re not trying hard enough.” Schools that encourage experimentation - whether through testing new teaching methods, curriculum changes, or leadership practices - are far more likely to foster innovation.

These leaders create an environment where staff feel safe to try new approaches, even if they don’t work out. The real failure, after all, is not learning from mistakes.

2. Deliberately Limiting Growth

In the modern era, it seems everyone is obsessed with scaling up. It’s easy to assume that more is always better. Show me a school that is content with their enrolment numbers, and I’ll show you ten that aren’t.

However, strategic schools know that growing too quickly can dilute quality and erode culture. Instead of expanding at every opportunity, these schools take a counterintuitive approach by focusing on depth rather than breadth.

Schools can focus on improving what they already do well by deliberately slowing down growth. This allows them to maintain high standards of excellence rather than stretching resources too thin. As the Cascade article states, “Growth for the sake of growth is the ideology of a cancer cell.”

Strategic schools prioritise thoughtful, sustainable development over rapid expansion.

3. Celebrating “Boring” Stability

Flashy innovations and new programs often steal the spotlight, but the most successful schools know the value of stability. “Boring” is a compliment in these environments. They recognise that consistency in policies, culture, and routines is calming and allows for incremental improvements that lead to lasting success.

Instead of chasing every new trend, these schools refine their existing systems. They know long-term success comes from a steady course rather than frequent, disruptive changes. This principle mirrors the approach of many top-performing businesses, often seen as “boring” because they do so well over a long period.

4. Hiring People Who Challenge the Status Quo

Contrary to the common hiring practice for cultural fit, strategic schools look for cultural add. They deliberately seek out individuals who challenge established thinking and push the school to explore new perspectives.

These staff members ask, “Why do we do it this way?” and “Can we improve this?” At first, they might not blend seamlessly into the school’s current culture, but that’s precisely the point.

Strategic schools understand that innovation comes from diversity of thought, not uniformity.

As the business world teaches, the most groundbreaking ideas often come from those willing to challenge the norm.

5. Competing Against Themselves

While many schools are preoccupied with outperforming their competitors, the most strategic schools are focused on outperforming themselves. They measure success not by how they stack up against other schools but by whether they are continually improving.

This internal competition fosters a growth mindset within the school.

Leaders set goals that push the school to elevate its own standards year after year. This is akin to companies like Apple, which continuously disrupt their products before others can. Strategic schools are proactive, not reactive, in their pursuit of excellence.

6. Saying “No” to More Opportunities

In a world of opportunities, strategic schools master the art of saying “no.” They realise that every new initiative, partnership, or project they take on consumes time, energy, and focus. By saying no to more, they can concentrate on what truly matters.

This selective approach may seem counterintuitive, but it’s vital for maintaining the school’s focus on its core mission.

Steve Jobs once said, “Innovation is saying no to 1,000 things.”

Strategic schools apply this same principle, ensuring that their time and resources are used where they can have the most significant impact.

7. Fostering Strategic Rest Periods

In the fast-paced world of school leadership, rest is often viewed as a luxury. However, most strategic schools recognise that rest is critical to productivity. Leaders and staff alike are encouraged to take breaks, reflect, and recharge.

This rest allows for clearer thinking, better decision-making, and, ultimately, more strategic leadership.

Implementing "rest periods" for leadership teams after significant initiatives could be a game-changer. These periods of reflection allow teams to step back, recharge, and return with fresh perspectives and better ideas.

Schools that incorporate rest into their strategic calendars often discover that it enhances creativity and leads to more effective problem-solving.

Conclusion: Leading with Strategic Vision

Being a strategic school leader doesn’t mean doing more - it often means doing less but doing it better.

The counterintuitive strategies we’ve explored here - embracing failure, limiting growth, celebrating stability, hiring challengers, competing against oneself, saying no to distractions, and fostering rest - are powerful tools for creating a school that thrives in the long term.

As schools navigate the ever-evolving educational landscape, these strategies offer a path forward that ensures stability and fosters innovation and growth. For school leaders looking to lead strategically, the key is not just to think differently but to act differently.

What do you think about this approach to school leadership? How might you apply these principles in your work? Let’s start a conversation - strategic schools are built through collaboration and shared learning.