Humanity and Symbolism in Leadership

In the opening episode of Series 9, Rachel Johnson revisits an extraordinary moment in history: an 11-year-old girl’s bold letter to Abraham Lincoln that altered not only his appearance, but the public imagination of a future president.

Weeks before the 1860 election, young Grace Bedell wrote to Lincoln with a candid suggestion: that he grow a beard to soften his “thin” face and win the favour of voters. What might have been dismissed as childish audacity instead became a catalyst for one of the most enduring images in political history.

 This episode explores why the story has resonated for more than a century. It offers a rare glimpse of Lincoln’s humanity in an era accustomed to curated images and strategic messaging. His willingness to listen, to change, and to honour the voice of a child invites us to reconsider what effective leadership looks like: responsive, humble, attuned to the people it serves.

 Tune in to hear Rachel's deeper lessons for leaders today on the power of small acts to shape change, the significance of symbolic gestures when entering a new season and the importance of using our voices even when we fear they make little difference.

 Lincoln’s beard may be iconic, but the story behind it is a reminder that leadership is, at its heart, profoundly human. And as Rachel hints at the end of the episode, this tale holds an unexpected twist  ̶  one that had unintended consequences for someone whose livelihood depended on Lincoln remaining clean-shaven.

Featuring Sonya Garcia from Pinedale Elementary, Clovis Unified School District, California, USA. With thanks to teacher Aide Garcia Madrigal. 

If you enjoyed PiXL Pearls...

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Read Rachel's three books: 

Time to Think 1: The Things that stop us and how to deal with them

Time to Think 2: The Things that stop our teams and what to do about them

Box Clever: Quadrants to change the way we live and lead

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PiXL Pearls are short reflections on life and leadership which inspire, encourage, motivate and challenge thinking.
The series is hosted by Rachel Johnson (PiXL CEO), who draws on literature, life and experience in leadership to explore different elements of what it is to be a good leader and how we can become even better leaders, both in and out of schools.

PiXL Pearls Podcast is a We Are In Beta Production.

PiXL is a partnership organisation of thousands of schools, colleges and alternative education providers spanning KS1-5. Find out more about how you could gain value from a PiXL subscription: https://www.pixl.org.uk/membership