That's Not Strategy

That's Not Strategy challenges the idea that busyness and planning equal progress in schools. Michael Parsons draws on two decades of international experience to show that real strategy begins with clarity, purpose, and intentional choices. Through relatable stories from classrooms and leadership rooms around the world, and through the lens of the Bullseye Strategy Model, he illustrates how values-aligned decisions create measurable impact.

At its core, this book reminds us that strategy is not a document but a discipline. It is the ability to choose what truly matters, to say no when needed, and to build schools where people feel a sense of direction and meaning. Parsons argues that when schools align their identity, their reality, and their actions, they create cultures where teachers can thrive, students feel known, and growth becomes inevitable rather than accidental.

This book is for anyone who has ever sat in a staff meeting wondering, "What are we actually doing here?" and for anyone who has looked at students like Caroline, a curious and wide-eyed second grader, and questioned the future we are preparing them for. A guide for teachers, leaders, and parents who want their work to truly matter.