PiXL Pearls

PiXL Pearls is back for season 4. November 13th. Are you breaking the status quo? If you're not, what is stopping you? How can we create moments of joy that make everyone in our schools feel elevated and proud? What are the giants around you, and how do you slay them? As we return to a 4th series, we explore answers to all these questions. Join us fortnightly, as we embark on an adventure through the journey of 8 human stories here to inspire, encourage, motivate, and challenge the leaders of today and tomorrow. From rock bands to top-rated hotels, we look at how meaningful change can come about from the small actions we take every day. PiXL Pearls are short reflections on life and leadership, in schools. They are here to inspire, encourage, motivate, and challenge. The PiXL network spans thousands of schools across key stages 1-5. We collaborate, share best practice, and equip leaders throughout the educational system. Series 2, 3 and 4 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/

Interestingly, only in recent history has working hard signalled pride rather than shame. In this episode, Rachel Johnson digs into what we consider 'hard work' in the 21st century and why we might all be very wrong in the assumption that being busy is being productive. She asks us to think about the time we allow for thinking and processing (being vs doing), and why it is important we try and carve out time exactly for this purpose. PiXL Pearls are short reflections on life and leadership, in schools. They are here to inspire, encourage, motivate, and challenge. 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 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/

Have you heard of Mike Lazaridis? Probably not - but perhaps the story would be different if he had been open to change. Mike is the founder of Blackberry, who in 2009 had complete market dominance but by 2014 had only 1% market share. There are many lessons we can learn from Blackberry's demise - that 'what got you here won't get you there'. How comfortable are you with being wrong? Are you willing to rethink your beliefs and embrace change? PiXL Pearls are short reflections on life and leadership, in schools. They are here to inspire, encourage, motivate, and challenge. 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 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/

In the education profession, we face many challenges that require us to come together as a team - and it is quite remarkable what we have dealt with recently. In this episode, Rachel Johnson uses the ingenious behaviour of a little yellow fish as a basis for explaining how important our team dynamic is to surviving and thriving in tough times. However, she also makes the case that it is just as important to learn how to fall out of formation, and take time to recover and restock - exactly like the fish. 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/

We've all heard of Winston Churchill - but you may not know about his wife, Clemmie, and the powerful influence she had on her husband. This episode allows us to consider who we have in our lives that can tell us the uncomfortable truth from a place of kindness, and nurture us to be better. Whether it be at home or in work, it is crucial we allow feedback and honesty from those around us. 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/

Drawing upon the story of the tragic 1949 wildfire at Mann Gulch, Rachel Johnson explores how firefighter Foreman Dodge's ways of thinking in the literal heat of the moment can have some resonant applications to our own life and leadership. The episode asks us to consider our own physical and mental readiness for the crises we so often face in school leadership, and what metaphorical baggage we can drop in order to move forward. 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/

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/