The Hidden Patterns of School Startup Success

If you step into a startup school expecting the usual leadership challenges, you're in for a surprise.

Leading any school brings its share of "known unknowns." 

But startup leadership? That's a different game entirely. 

With international schools growing from 2,500 to 14,000 in just two decades (Source: ISC Research), more leaders are discovering this truth: success requires a completely different playbook.

And while most leaders prepare for the intensity of their first term - the constant decisions, the team building, the endless troubleshooting. 

There's a challenge that catches even experienced leaders off guard:

The January Dip

Just when you think you've found your rhythm, your team returns from Christmas break, and something feels... different.
• Staff return homesick after family visits
• Financial pressures peak
• Contract decisions loom
• Team energy naturally drops

The good news? You can prepare for this.

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Your January Success Blueprint

  1. Schedule a team "reset" session first week back

  2. Plan individual check-ins before contract decisions

  3. Create small support groups within your team

  4. Keep decision-making transparent and inclusive 

The key is recognising that term 2 needs its own strategic approach.

Want personalised guidance for your leadership journey? Reply with your biggest current challenge, and let's discuss specific strategies for your situation.

Have a great weekend,

Shane

P.S. Watch for next week's email, in which I'll share the exact framework successful startup leaders use to maintain their personal sustainability. Huge thanks to Grainne O’Reilly for inspiring this newsletter. Check out our conversation here.