PiXL Pearls

Unintended consequences are inevitable. Unintended opportunities are optional. In Episode 2 of this series of the PiXL Pearls, Rachel Johnson uncovers the lesser-known effects of Abraham Lincoln’s now-iconic beard and the extraordinary story of the man it nearly ruined. When Lincoln took the advice of an 11-year-old girl and changed his appearance, one small printing business collapsed almost overnight. What followed was not a tale destitution, but a radical reinvention and from the ashes of one business rose a legacy born of speed, creativity and resilience.  This episode explores how unintended consequences can become unintended opportunities, why leadership demands movement (even when outcomes are uncertain) and how reframing setbacks can open doors we never intended to walk through. Tune in to get better, not bitter – because consequences may be unavoidable, but the possibilities of where you’ll end up if you adapt are exceptional. If you enjoyed PiXL Pearls...   Check out the PiXL website: ⁠https://www.pixl.org.uk/⁠ for free downloads   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   Listen to the PiXL Leadership Bookclub. ⁠ Subscribe on Apple Podcasts⁠ ⁠ Subscribe on Spotify⁠   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

The podcast dives into a fascinating slice of history: an 11-year-old girl's letter to Abraham Lincoln that prompted him to grow a beard. It examines how a simple suggestion shaped Lincoln's public image and reflects on leadership's humanity. With insights into the significance of listening and adapting, the discussion emphasizes the power of small gestures in enacting change. Listeners are invited to ponder how personal connections and symbolic acts define effective leadership, making this story resonate long after Lincoln's time.

We think we know what strength looks like – superheroes, boxers, bodybuilders. Search online and the images confirm it: muscle, might and physical power. But real strength often looks very different. From Evander Holyfield to Rio Ferdinand, some of the world's most celebrated athletes quietly turned to ballet to sharpen their balance, focus and flexibility. Strength, it turns out, is as much about rhythm, control and grace as it is about power. In this episode of the PiXL Pearls Podcast, Rachel Johnson (CEO, PiXL) unpacks the surprising ways strength shows up in leadership. With lessons drawn from ballet and beyond, she explores the "3Gs" of true strength: grunt, grit and grace – and why spotting, balance and composure are as critical to leaders as they are to dancers. Expect challenge, perspective and encouragement as you reflect on your own leadership dance. If you enjoyed PiXL Pearls... Check out the PiXL website: https://www.pixl.org.uk/ for free downloads 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 Listen to the PiXL Leadership Bookclub. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Subscribe on Spotify 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

Three men. One destination. Three very different approaches. The early 20th-century Race to the South Pole has fuelled endless books, films and leadership lessons. Scott, Shackleton and Amundsen each chased the same goal, but history has judged them in radically different ways — heroes to some, flawed men to others. In this episode of the PiXL Pearls Podcast, Rachel Johnson (CEO, PiXL) explores how hindsight reshapes reputations, what these expeditions reveal about decision-making under pressure, and why the essence of a leader often shows most clearly when things fall apart. From compassion in the face of disaster to ambition that cuts corners, this story prompts us to ask: how will our own leadership be remembered? And when pressure comes, what will spill out of us? Expect reflection, challenge, and lessons that go far beyond the ice. If you enjoyed PiXL Pearls... Check out the PiXL website: https://www.pixl.org.uk/ for free downloads 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 Listen to the PiXL Leadership Bookclub. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Subscribe on Spotify 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

We say we value kindness. We talk about ethics, creativity, and community. Yet in the push for results and profit, these often slip through our fingers. Can you really be both principled and profitable? In this episode of the PiXL Pearls Podcast, Rachel Johnson (CEO, PiXL) explores the paradox at the heart of Lush – a business that makes bubbles and bath bombs while building an "oasis of kindness." From playful innovation to ethical leadership, from profit to purpose, this is a story of holding opposites in tension and thriving because of it. Expect inspiration, challenge, and a fresh perspective on what it means to lead in today's "Kindness Economy." If you enjoyed PiXL Pearls... Check out the PiXL website: https://www.pixl.org.uk/ for free downloads 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 Listen to the PiXL Leadership Bookclub. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Subscribe on Spotify 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

We say we want more holiday. We plan for rest. Yet, when the chance comes, we fill the space with busyness – or feel guilty for stopping. Why do we struggle so much with something so simple? In this episode of the PiXL Pearls Podcast, Rachel Johnson (CEO, PiXL) explores the paradox of rest. From Netflix's experiment with unlimited holidays to the seven types of rest we all need, this conversation reveals why rest is more than just sleep or a trip abroad. This is about why leaders must model it if they want their teams to thrive. Expect reflection, challenge, and practical insights to help you reclaim rest, not as a luxury, but as a leadership necessity. If you enjoyed PiXL Pearls... Check out the PiXL website: https://www.pixl.org.uk/ for free downloads 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 Listen to the PiXL Leadership Bookclub. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Subscribe on Spotify The PiXL network spans thousands of schools across key stages 1-5. We collaborate, share best practice, and equip leaders throughout the educational system. Subscribe now to download every episode directly to your phone automatically. PiXL Podcasts are We Are In Beta productions. For more information visit: https://www.pixl.org.uk/

In this energising episode of the PiXL Pearls Podcast, Rachel Johnson (PiXL CEO) explores what it means to reinvent. Delve into a true tale of transformation that will inspire you to make a change – not by starting from scratch, but by reimagining how we present who we are and what we do. From Coca-Cola's brand strategy to school leadership, this episode is a masterclass in storytelling, relevance and evolution. You'll discover how enduring success often comes not from radical change, but from refreshing the message, the medium and the mindset. Packed with practical reflections, Rachel unpacks what educators can learn from the world's most recognisable brand, why narrative matters more than ever and how to reframe your story to better connect with pupils, parents and staff. Are you ready to reframe, refocus and re-engage the people who matter most? Tune in to Reinvention today and start thinking differently about the story your leadership is telling. If you enjoyed PiXL Pearls... Check out the PiXL website: https://www.pixl.org.uk/ for free downloads 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 Listen to the PiXL Leadership Bookclub. Subscribe on Apple Podcasts Subscribe on Spotify The PiXL network spans thousands of schools across key stages 1-5. We collaborate, share best practice, and equip leaders throughout the educational system. Subscribe now to download every episode directly to your phone automatically. PiXL Podcasts are We Are In Beta productions. For more information visit: https://www.pixl.org.uk/

Discover the unsung heroes known as 'flak catchers' who absorb chaos to protect their teams. Explore how Pixar's early leadership navigated challenges and built a culture around these vital roles. Learn why recognizing and supporting these individuals is crucial for organizational success. Reflect on how to empower those who shield others from conflict and distraction, ensuring a productive and harmonious environment. This insightful discussion encourages a reevaluation of leadership dynamics as we prepare for the new year.

Explore the surprising science of compassion and its transformative effects on well-being in both personal and educational settings. Discover how kindness reduces anxiety, improves recovery, and even boosts mental health. Uncover the powerful role compassion plays in schools, helping students and staff navigate silent struggles. Learn practical strategies for fostering a culture of empathy, proving that kindness is not just an extra but a vital element for success. When challenges arise, compassion might be the most important gift we can provide.

Dive into the emotional nuances of our relationship with time. Explore the contrast between measured moments and those filled with meaning. Discover how literature, like Miss Havisham’s still clocks, illustrates our inner struggles with time. Rachel encourages a thoughtful reflection on the urgency of everyday demands versus the power of presence. It's a profound invitation to pause and prioritize what truly matters in life and leadership.