“When we skip the thinking, we often create more work for ourselves.” Janine Stratford
When was the last time you gave yourself time to think?
In this episode, Meg Durham sits down with Janine Stratford, author of Leading for Tomorrow, Today: School Leadership with Purpose, Alignment and Lasting Impact, to explore the role of strategic thinking in the day-to-day reality of school life.
This conversation moves beyond strategic plans and leadership meetings, focusing instead on the ability of individual educators to think strategically within the pace and pressure of everyday school environments.
Together, they unpack the difference between fast, reactive thinking and slower, more considered thinking, and why the pressure to respond quickly can often lead to rework, frustration and unnecessary emotional load.
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Chapter Markers:
- 00:00 Introduction
- 02:00 What sparked Janine’s work in strategic thinking
- 05:00 The cost of quick decision-making
- 07:00 What strategic thinking actually is
- 10:00 Common myths about strategic thinking
- 14:00 The benefits of thinking strategically
- 21:00 Why leaders struggle to step back
- 26:00 Creating space for strategic thinking
- 36:00 What to do in your 20-minute thinking block
- 42:00 Final reflections
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Reflection Prompts:
- I notice that I tend to rush decisions when…
- One area of my work that could benefit from more strategic thinking is…
- If I created 20 minutes to think this week, I would focus on…
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Episode 166 Shownotes - Click here
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Janine Stratford - Website | LinkedIn | Book | Facebook
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Meg Durham - Website | LinkedIn | Instagram
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Your Questions Answered:
What is strategic thinking in schools?
Strategic thinking in schools is the ability for educators and leaders to step back from the day-to-day demands of teaching and leadership to gain perspective, identify priorities and make intentional decisions. It involves moving beyond reactive problem-solving and instead focusing on what will have the greatest long-term impact on students, staff and school culture. Importantly, strategic thinking is not limited to senior leadership or school planning processes. It is an everyday skill that individual educators can use to improve their practice, refine systems and make more purposeful choices in how they use their time and energy.
Why is strategic thinking important for educators?
Strategic thinking is essential for educators because it helps reduce overwhelm, improve decision-making and create greater clarity in a complex and fast-paced work environment. Without strategic thinking, educators can become stuck in reactive mode, constantly responding to immediate needs, which often leads to rework, inefficiency and increased emotional load. By thinking strategically, educators can prioritise what matters most, align their actions with their goals and use their time more effectively. This not only improves outcomes for students and teams but also supports teacher wellbeing by protecting time, energy and focus.
How can teachers and school leaders think more strategically?
Teachers and school leaders can develop strategic thinking by intentionally creating small, protected pockets of time to step away from the busyness of the school day and reflect on their work. This might involve setting aside 20 minutes to focus on one specific area for improvement, such as a classroom routine, communication process or team practice. During this time, the goal is to analyse what is working, identify what is not and consider more effective approaches. Over time, consistently engaging in this kind of focused thinking helps build clarity, strengthen decision-making and create more aligned and purposeful ways of working. Strategic thinking is less about large-scale planning and more about making small, deliberate adjustments that lead to meaningful change.
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