counter-intuitive (adj)

The concept of using fire to fight fire may seem counter-intuitive, but controlled burns can prevent larger, more destructive wildfires.
In physics, the behavior of certain particles can be counter-intuitive, defying our everyday understanding of the world.
The decision to invest in training during a financial crisis may appear counter-intuitive, but it can enhance employee skills and boost long-term productivity.
Despite initial skepticism, the counter-intuitive strategy of giving away a basic product for free proved successful in building a large user base for the software company.