It is a common pitfall of individuals, teams and organisations to overcomplicate or overthink ideas to the point that we don’t ever take the first small step towards changing the way we do things. This episode of PiXL Pearls explores the idea that all we really need to do is invite curiosity, be open to new methods, and simplify in order to stay fresh and innovative. PiXL Pearls are short reflections on life and leadership, in schools. They are here to inspire, encourage, motivate, and challenge. The PiXL network spans almost 3,000 schools across key stages 1-5. We collaborate, share best practice, and equip leaders throughout the educational system. Series 2 and 3 are presented by Rachel Johnson, CEO of PiXL, and Series 1 was presented by Founder-Director Sir John Rowling. They both draw 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. Subscribe now to download every episode directly to your phone automatically. PiXL Pearls is a We Are In Beta production. For more information visit: https://www.pixl.org.uk/

Using the story of the Wright Brothers (but not quite the story you are likely to have heard of before!) Rachel Johnson explores the difference between relationship and task conflict. Many of us are very conflict-averse, yet the inventor brothers found challenging each other's beliefs resulted in valuable improvements to the overall plane design. How can we encourage good relationships and healthy conflict in our own teams? PiXL Pearls are short reflections on life and leadership, in schools. They are here to inspire, encourage, motivate, and challenge. The PiXL network spans almost 3,000 schools across key stages 1-5. We collaborate, share best practice, and equip leaders throughout the educational system. Series 2 and 3 are presented by Rachel Johnson, CEO of PiXL, and Series 1 was presented by Founder-Director Sir John Rowling. They both draw 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. Subscribe now to download every episode directly to your phone automatically. PiXL Pearls is a We Are In Beta production. For more information visit: https://www.pixl.org.uk/

This episode is for far more than just the football fans among you. In it, Rachel Johnson tells Gareth Southgate’s story and leadership style. In his career, Southgate has had a few instances that haven’t gone according to plan. Overcoming disappointment and regret is a powerful thing to master for ourselves, and for the people we lead. There is a lot we can learn from his approach to failure, team dynamics and emotional support. PiXL Pearls are short reflections on life and leadership, in schools. They are here to inspire, encourage, motivate, and challenge. The PiXL network spans almost 3,000 schools across key stages 1-5. We collaborate, share best practice, and equip leaders throughout the educational system. Series 2 and 3 are presented by Rachel Johnson, CEO of PiXL, and Series 1 was presented by Founder-Director Sir John Rowling. They both draw 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. Subscribe now to download every episode directly to your phone automatically. PiXL Pearls is a We Are In Beta production. For more information visit: https://www.pixl.org.uk/

You might not have heard of the subject of this Pearl, Architect Charles Barry, but he has an amazing story that has lots of lessons and metaphors for us in our own lives and leadership. What would you emulate from what you already see, and what would you turn to ash? Start building and developing your personal infrastructure now, before your next opportunity presents itself. PiXL Pearls are short reflections on life and leadership, in schools. They are here to inspire, encourage, motivate, and challenge. The PiXL network spans almost 3,000 schools across key stages 1-5. We collaborate, share best practice, and equip leaders throughout the educational system. Series 2 and 3 are presented by Rachel Johnson, CEO of PiXL, and Series 1 was presented by Founder-Director Sir John Rowling. They both draw 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. Subscribe now to download every episode directly to your phone automatically. PiXL Pearls is a We Are In Beta production. For more information visit: https://www.pixl.org.uk/

Creating magical moments is painstaking work – it requires vision, direction, concentration, and perseverance and even then, not everything goes according to plan. Drawing on a story about the floating candles seen in the Harry Potter films, Rachel Johnson helps us think about the moments in our leadership where the vision was not the reality and how we can move forward after disappointment. PiXL Pearls are short reflections on life and leadership, in schools. They are here to inspire, encourage, motivate, and challenge. The PiXL network spans almost 3,000 schools across key stages 1-5. We collaborate, share best practice, and equip leaders throughout the educational system. Series 2 and 3 are presented by Rachel Johnson, CEO of PiXL, and Series 1 was presented by Founder-Director Sir John Rowling. They both draw 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. Subscribe now to download every episode directly to your phone automatically. PiXL Pearls is a We Are In Beta production. For more information visit: https://www.pixl.org.uk/

In this episode, Rachel Johnson shares the story of high jumper Dick Fosbury. At first, he was branded a failure in the eyes of the media and sporting community but then something remarkable happened. Taking inspiration from one man’s journey from failure to success, how can we also find a way when it looks like there is no way? How can we turn our ‘flops’ into successes? PiXL Pearls are short reflections on life and leadership, in schools. They are here to inspire, encourage, motivate, and challenge. The PiXL network spans almost 3,000 schools across key stages 1-5. We collaborate, share best practice, and equip leaders throughout the educational system. Series 2 and 3 are presented by Rachel Johnson, CEO of PiXL, and Series 1 was presented by Founder-Director Sir John Rowling. They both draw 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. Subscribe now to download every episode directly to your phone automatically. PiXL Pearls is a We Are In Beta production. For more information visit: https://www.pixl.org.uk/

Welcome to Series 3 of the PiXL Pearls podcast. Drawing on the story of Trump’s unwillingness to climb the stairs to the 2nd floor offices in the Whitehouse from ‘Landslide’ by Micheal Wolff, this first episode examines what we may be missing out on if we choose to do the same in our own leadership. PiXL Pearls are short reflections on life and leadership, in schools. They are here to inspire, encourage, motivate, and challenge. The PiXL network spans almost 3,000 schools across key stages 1-5. We collaborate, share best practice, and equip leaders throughout the educational system. Series 2 and 3 are presented by Rachel Johnson, CEO of PiXL, and Series 1 was presented by Founder-Director Sir John Rowling. They both draw 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. Subscribe now to download every episode directly to your phone automatically. PiXL Pearls is a We Are In Beta production. For more information visit: https://www.pixl.org.uk/

PiXL Pearls is back for season 3. November 14th. PiXL Pearls are short reflections on life and leadership, in schools. They are here to inspire, encourage, motivate, and challenge. The PiXL network spans almost 3,000 schools across key stages 1-5. We collaborate, share best practice, and equip leaders throughout the educational system. Series 2 and 3 are presented by Rachel Johnson, CEO of PiXL, and Series 1 was presented by Founder-Director Sir John Rowling. They both draw 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. Subscribe now to download every episode directly to your phone automatically. PiXL Pearls is a We Are In Beta production. For more information visit: https://www.pixl.org.uk/

Wouldn’t it be great if human beings had trip switches? Just imagine it: you notice when faults begin appearing in your system. Your internal trip switch then turns on and tells you how to fix the problem. But sadly, we often don’t stop and mend things before it spirals into a bigger issue. In this last episode of PiXL Pearls Series 2, Rachel Johnson uses the extended metaphor of power cuts to highlight that disruption can have many benefits if we listen to what they’re trying to teach us.  PiXL Pearls: Short reflections on life and leadership, in schools. They are here to inspire, encourage, motivate, and challenge. The PiXL network spans almost 3,000 schools across key stages 1-5. We collaborate, share best practice, and equip leaders throughout the educational system. Series 1 was presented by Founder-Director Sir John Rowling, and Series 2 is presented by Rachel Johnson, CEO of PiXL. They both draw 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 school.  PiXL Pearls Podcast is a We Are In Beta Production

Why are we doing this, and what is the point? These two small, but very important, questions often get left by the wayside. In this episode, Rachel Johnson tells the stories of two businesses who forgot ‘the point’, and what we must do as leaders to communicate the ultimate purpose and vision we all work towards, and keep the team focused on the 'why'. PiXL Pearls: Short reflections on life and leadership, in schools. They are here to inspire, encourage, motivate, and challenge. The PiXL network spans almost 3,000 schools across key stages 1-5. We collaborate, share best practice, and equip leaders throughout the educational system. Series 1 was presented by Founder-Director Sir John Rowling, and Series 2 is presented by Rachel Johnson, CEO of PiXL. They both draw 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 school.  PiXL Pearls Podcast is a We Are In Beta Production