Tactics Drive Action. Action Drives Success

reid159
Aug 7
4 min read

Hi, Educational Leaders!

As summer comes to a close and the first signs of a new school year begin to emerge, many of you are in full planning mode—refining strategies, organizing teams, and preparing for launch. It’s an exciting season full of possibility, but also one that demands clarity and focus. That’s why this month’s newsletter is centered on a deceptively simple idea: Tactics Drive Action. Action Drives Success. As we look ahead to the year’s goals, this concept becomes a roadmap and not just a mantra.

The word “tactics” rarely makes headlines in education circles. It doesn’t carry the same inspirational flair as “vision,” “innovation,” or “transformation.” It’s not flashy or particularly exciting on its own. But if you strip down the mechanics of real school improvement—what actually creates movement, progress, and results—it almost always comes back to this understated yet essential force: tactics.

Tactics are the unsung heroes of educational success. No matter how bold your vision or how compelling your goals, without practical, day-to-day methods that translate those ideas into action, nothing gets done. Schools that want meaningful results need to reframe how they view tactics, not as operational details, but as strategic levers that drive everything forward.

Building Momentum Through Thoughtful Execution

Effective tactics are what turn vision into motion. They are the precise actions and methods that bring strategy to life—whether that means implementing new instructional models, launching targeted intervention programs, or rethinking school operations. In high-performing schools, tactics are deeply aligned with the larger strategic goals, ensuring every action taken moves the organization closer to its desired outcomes.

When tactics are thoughtfully designed and tightly connected to purpose, they become fuel for action. And action is where change begins to take shape. It’s in the rollout of new teaching techniques. It’s in the coordination of professional development. It’s in how feedback is gathered, meetings are run, and time is protected for priorities. Action isn’t a reaction—it’s a rhythm. And tactics are what create that rhythm.

Actions Leaders Can Take to Strengthen Tactical Execution

Tactical leadership means asking yourself and your team the right questions:

Are our tactics clearly tied to our goals?
Does everyone know what “good” looks like in their role?
Have we broken down our strategies into actions people can take this week?
Are we making it easier to act or harder?

Tactical strength in schools means tightening the link between intention and execution. The most effective leaders keep those lines short and strong. It’s time to stop thinking of tactics as the work beneath the work.

Let’s Look at Real School Examples

Let’s bring this to life:

A middle school faced low reading proficiency in Grade 6. Instead of setting only a year-end goal, they implemented a daily 15-minute fluency block aligned with small-group data. That tactic—small, focused, repeated—drove measurable gains in eight weeks.
A high school wanted more substantial student ownership in learning. Instead of launching another initiative, leaders adjusted department meetings to include a monthly review of student work. That one tactic shifted the instructional conversation and sparked teacher-led solutions.
A district-wide attendance initiative became real when principals started calling families after three absences. That direct, relationship-driven tactic led to a 12% bump in daily attendance.

Small, intentional actions create momentum when they are precise, consistent, and owned by the right people.

Try This: Tactical Audit for Your Leadership Team

Want to strengthen the connection between your goals and the work being done on the ground

Try this simple check-in with your team:

What are our top 3 priorities for the semester?
What 1–2 tactics are we using to drive each one forward?
Who owns the action?
What’s the timeline, and how are we tracking it?

The Combined Power of Tactics and Action

Tactics might not have the prestige of strategic planning sessions or keynote-worthy mission statements, but they’re the difference between inspiration and implementation.

In the words of General George Patton, “A good plan, violently executed now, is better than a perfect plan executed next week.” In schools, the “violence” is the clarity. It’s decisiveness. It’s knowing that well-aligned tactics today create momentum, progress, and ultimately, transformation.

As you move from planning to launching this school year, remember: it’s the clarity of your tactics and the consistency of your actions that determine success. The most effective school leaders dream big and lead through precise execution. Tactics are how we build momentum. Action is how we sustain it. Together, they pave the way for lasting impact.

So, before the school year officially begins, pause and ask: Are we clear on what we’re doing, why we’re doing it, and how it gets done? That clarity, shared and understood across your team, is the real foundation of a successful year.

We’re here to support you in turning strategy into daily success—one clear step at a time. Reach out to us through the following channels!

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