When you think of friction, you might picture something that slows us down—think of dragging furniture across carpet or hitting every red light on the way to work (today happens to be a snow day in the great state of Colorado, so I’m thinking about the friction needed from the salt and sand to navigate icy roads).
In schools, friction often seems like the last thing we want. Don’t we have enough obstacles to overcome without making things harder? But here’s the twist: sometimes a little friction is exactly what we need.
In the book, The Friction Project: How Smart Leaders Make the Right Things Easier and the Wrong Things Harder, Hugy Rao and Robert Sutton argue that adding or removing friction—basically making processes easier or harder—can be one of a leader’s most powerful tools. The goal is to strategically identify which behaviors to encourage and which to deter, knowing when to speed things up and when to slow them down, using friction as a lever.
The challenge is knowing where to add friction to get the best results.
So, what does this look like in a school setting? From supporting teachers and students, to helping parents engage responsibly, friction can be both a friend and a foe. Let’s take a look at some of the smart places to add or remove friction within a school and see how these small tweaks can lead to big improvements in your school culture.
1. Adding Friction to Shape Teacher Practices
Let’s start with where adding a bit of friction can make a positive difference, particularly in guiding teacher behaviors toward thoughtful, intentional practice.
Curbing Quick Fixes in Classroom Management: Teaching is hard, and it’s easy to see why some teachers might occasionally reach for quick, punitive solutions to classroom disruptions. But are those solutions truly beneficial in the long term? Schools can encourage a shift toward positive discipline by adding a little friction to certain disciplinary actions. For instance, requiring documentation or an administrative review for specific punitive measures can gently nudge teachers toward alternative strategies that foster a supportive classroom climate. The added steps act as a reminder that relationships are at the heart of effective classroom management.
Discouraging Busywork in Assignments: It’s tempting to assign "busy work," but what students really need is work that engages them in meaningful ways. Leaders can add a bit of friction here by encouraging teachers to clearly outline the learning goals and benefits of each assignment. Even a simple practice of sharing assignment objectives with a department head or grade-level team can go a long way in eliminating non-essential tasks. This friction isn’t about making teachers’ lives harder—it’s about keeping the focus on impactful learning experiences.
Balancing Technology Dependence in Learning: In today’s digital world, we often rely on tech as a shortcut, but is it always the best route? Adding friction by promoting a "technology-light" approach in some assignments or class discussions encourages both teachers and students to exercise creativity and critical thinking. By requiring students to show preliminary work or reflect on their thought process before looking up answers, schools can encourage deeper learning and resilience. Finding places to add friction when it comes to technology can be especially important in an AI world.
2. Removing Friction to Encourage Teacher Collaboration and Growth
When it comes to professional growth, friction often does more harm than good. By removing obstacles, leaders can create an environment where teachers feel supported, valued, and empowered.
Making Professional Development (PD) Effortless: Imagine if accessing PD was as easy as opening a door. Instead of creating complex sign-up procedures or expecting teachers to jump through hoops to attend, simplify the process. A single click to register, an online calendar that links to PD resources, or even a shared document with all upcoming PD opportunities can remove friction and make continuous learning more accessible. This friction-free approach to PD allows teachers to focus on meaningful growth rather than logistical hurdles.
Streamlining Access to Shared Resources: Teachers are busy, and if sharing resources with colleagues feels like an additional task, it’s unlikely to happen consistently. By creating a shared digital space that’s easy to access and search, you can make collaboration a seamless part of teachers’ routines. Better yet, set aside designated times for collaborative planning or resource sharing. By reducing friction around collaboration, schools foster a culture of teamwork and creativity that ultimately benefits students.
Easing Communication Channels with Administration: A positive relationship between teachers and administration relies on open, accessible communication. But if teachers feel they’re submitting feedback into a "black hole," they may stop sharing ideas altogether. Consider an accessible feedback platform or regular "office hours" where administrators are available to hear teacher concerns. Reducing friction here builds trust, making it easier for teachers to feel heard and supported.
3. Adding Friction to Guide Student Choices
Adding friction for students might sound harsh, but strategically placed obstacles can encourage thoughtful decision-making and build resilience.
Encouraging Delayed Gratification: It’s natural for students to want rewards instantly, but life doesn’t always work that way. By slowing down instant rewards—such as by requiring students to save up "points" for a reward or by implementing a tiered rewards system—you can help them develop patience and a growth mindset. This added friction reminds students that good things are worth waiting for, reinforcing values like commitment and responsibility.
Requiring Engagement in Community Activities: Schools put effort into planning enrichment programs and advisory sessions, but students sometimes view these as optional. Adding a bit of friction to skipping these sessions—such as requiring a formal sign-out process or advance notice—can reinforce that community involvement matters. This extra step encourages students to engage in the full scope of their education, from academics to enrichment.
Fostering Thoughtful Technology Use: We know how tempting it is for students to get lost in their phones. One way to curb distraction is by adding some simple friction, like a “phone parking” system at the beginning of each class or designated “tech-free” zones in the building. These small actions reinforce focus and mindfulness, helping students build habits that serve them well beyond the classroom.
4. Removing Friction to Support Student Well-being and Academic Success
Some areas call for smooth sailing, particularly where students’ academic support and well-being are concerned.
Providing Easy Access to Academic Support: For students struggling with coursework, getting help shouldn’t feel like an obstacle course. By offering online tutoring, setting up open study sessions, or reducing the paperwork needed for special education services, schools can ensure that students get the help they need without unnecessary hassle. Removing friction here can make a profound difference in student success.
Simplifying Extracurricular Involvement: The path to joining a club or team should be simple and transparent. Schools can create a one-stop portal for sign-ups or assign a staff member as an extracurricular coordinator, helping students navigate the variety of options without feeling overwhelmed. When getting involved is easy, students are more likely to engage in activities that support their growth.
5. Adding Friction for Responsible Parent Engagement
Parents play a pivotal role in a school’s ecosystem, and a little friction can sometimes create healthier dynamics between school and home.
Encouraging Measured Interventions: While parental involvement is valuable, over-involvement can hinder a student’s independence. By adding friction—such as waiting periods before meeting requests about minor issues—schools can encourage parents to give their children space to problem-solve. This subtle boundary reinforces student independence and encourages parents to step in only when truly necessary.
Releasing Grades Periodically: Constant access to grades can add stress for both students and parents. Limiting updates to weekly or bi-weekly intervals can reduce this pressure, helping parents to focus on broader progress rather than day-to-day fluctuations. Communicating the value of this approach can foster a healthier attitude toward academic performance.
6. Removing Friction to Foster Positive Parent Engagement
Where parent engagement is constructive, schools should remove friction to make collaboration easy and rewarding.
Promoting Volunteering in School Activities: Many parents want to be involved but are unsure where to start. By offering simple sign-ups, online portals, and a dedicated volunteer coordinator, schools can make it easy for parents to contribute in meaningful ways. This positive engagement builds a stronger school community, benefiting students and educators alike.
Providing a Transparent Parent Portal: Schools can reduce friction by consolidating all necessary resources—like the school calendar, policies, and teacher contacts—into a single, easy-to-navigate parent portal. Transparent communication builds trust and keeps parents informed, without the hassle of multiple emails or complex systems.
In the complex world of school leadership, knowing where to add and remove friction is like knowing when to tap the brakes or accelerate on a winding road. With thoughtful adjustments, we can encourage the right behaviors and make it easier for teachers, parents, and students to focus on what truly matters.
Comments