

PiXL Pearls
PiXL (a We Are In Beta production)
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 great leader and how we can become even better, no matter who or what we are leading.
For additional materials and resources, head to our website and take the leadership reflection even further!
If you are interested in coming to one of our conferences as a guest, please reach out to us on membership@pixl.org.uk.
PiXL Pearls Podcast is a We Are In Beta Production.
PiXL is a partnership organisation of schools, colleges, alternative education providers and educational organisations spanning KS1-5. Find out more about how you could gain value from a PiXL subscription: https://www.pixl.org.uk/membership
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 great leader and how we can become even better, no matter who or what we are leading.
For additional materials and resources, head to our website and take the leadership reflection even further!
If you are interested in coming to one of our conferences as a guest, please reach out to us on membership@pixl.org.uk.
PiXL Pearls Podcast is a We Are In Beta Production.
PiXL is a partnership organisation of schools, colleges, alternative education providers and educational organisations spanning KS1-5. Find out more about how you could gain value from a PiXL subscription: https://www.pixl.org.uk/membership
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jun 28, 2020 • 13min
HIPO's
In this week's #PiXLPearls podcast, Sir John Rowling reflects on IBM's management of HIPOs: those staff members who showed high potential. He says that as leaders, it's our responsibility to prepare the next generation for being the leaders of tomorrow. Do you make an effort to actively make this a priority? Subscribe now to download every episode directly to your phone automatically. PiXL Pearls is a We Are In Beta production. PiXL (Partners in Excellence) is a partnership of over 1,600 secondary schools, 500 sixth forms, 830 primary schools, and 75 providers of alternative education. Through our support for schools together we share best practice to raise standards and to give students a better future and brighter hope. For more information visit: https://www.pixl.org.uk/

Jun 14, 2020 • 14min
Pieces of Wisdom
In this week's episode, Sir John Rowling centers on six 'pieces of wisdom' from Simon Sinek, author of several thought-provoking leadership books. One of his core philosophies is about the 'why': the purpose, the reason why we do things, and how this is ultimately the stimulating energy, both for us and for those who we are leading. Sinek has a vision that it is well within our power to build a world where the vast majority of us wake up and feel inspired by what we do. Subscribe now to download every episode directly to your phone automatically. PiXL Pearls is a We Are In Beta production. PiXL (Partners in Excellence) is a partnership of over 1,600 secondary schools, 500 sixth forms, 830 primary schools, and 75 providers of alternative education. Through our support for schools together we share best practice to raise standards and to give students a better future and brighter hope. For more information visit: https://www.pixl.org.uk/

May 31, 2020 • 15min
Creating a Balanced Team
Without balance, we would fall apart. As we approach the point in the year where you may be more clear about what your teams might look like next academic year, we hope you'll find this week's podcast useful for considering your team structures. In this episode, Sir John Rowling takes inspiration from the team structure of the early Christian Church. He suggests we need the apostles (the pioneers), the prophets (those who see ahead and analyse ways forward), the evangelists (those to get people on board with the message we have), the pastors (the carers) and the teachers (we definitely have those!) in order to create a balanced, harmonious and successful team. Subscribe now to download every episode directly to your phone automatically. PiXL Pearls is a We Are In Beta production. PiXL (Partners in Excellence) is a partnership of over 1,600 secondary schools, 500 sixth forms, 830 primary schools, and 75 providers of alternative education. Through our support for schools together we share best practice to raise standards and to give students a better future and brighter hope. For more information visit: https://www.pixl.org.uk/

May 17, 2020 • 11min
What Leaders Need
Do you foster a sense of belonging and shared excitement for what your organisation does, and its future direction? What do the people who work for you understand about how you appreciate them? Do you have someone who can keep your feet on the ground? In this episode, Sir John Rowling muses over the fact that whilst no two leaders are the same in their styles, there are several qualities that we should incorporate in our leadership practice. Subscribe now to download every episode directly to your phone automatically. PiXL Pearls is a We Are In Beta production. PiXL (Partners in Excellence) is a partnership of over 1,600 secondary schools, 500 sixth forms, 830 primary schools and 75 providers of alternative education. Through our support for schools together we share best practice to raise standards and to give students a better future and brighter hope. For more information visit: https://www.pixl.org.uk/

May 3, 2020 • 10min
Happy endings
In this podcast, Sir John Rowling expresses his passion for making a difference and supporting every child. He describes a moral tension across many education establishments about the imperative of being inclusive and nurturing those classified as 'disenfranchised'. This may be even more important now than ever. One of the great things about education is that we can work with people to bring about great transformations, and ultimately, lead them towards happy endings. Subscribe now to download every episode directly to your phone automatically. PiXL Pearls is a We Are In Beta production. PiXL (Partners in Excellence) is a partnership of over 1,600 secondary schools, 500 sixth forms, 830 primary schools and 75 providers of alternative education. Through our support for schools together we share best practice to raise standards and to give students a better future and brighter hope. For more information visit: https://www.pixl.org.uk/

Apr 19, 2020 • 14min
Don't Tell People How
What is the difference between feeling empowered or instructed in your work? Sir John Rowling shares his thoughts about why the difference is vitally important in this episode of PiXL Pearls. As we all change how we work, you will be leading various changes in the teams you lead, as well as asking others to do the same. As your teams navigate these uncharted waters, are you allowing them autonomy, direction and support in their work? Subscribe now to download every episode directly to your phone automatically. PiXL Pearls is a We Are In Beta production. PiXL (Partners in Excellence) is a partnership of over 1,600 secondary schools, 500 sixth forms, 830 primary schools and 75 providers of alternative education. Through our support for schools together we share best practice to raise standards and to give students a better future and brighter hope. For more information visit: https://www.pixl.org.uk/

Apr 5, 2020 • 11min
Life of Contrast
In this episode, Sir John Rowling speaks of the 'highs and lows' we all experience in education, and how we must take them in our stride. Handling the highs and lows and managing yourself is a great quality in successful leadership. This is not an advocacy for stoicism but rather balance, says Sir John, in order to exercise true leadership and help bring others through the ups and downs Subscribe now to download every episode directly to your phone automatically. PiXL Pearls is a We Are In Beta production. PiXL (Partners in Excellence) is a partnership of over 1,600 secondary schools, 500 sixth forms, 830 primary schools and 75 providers of alternative education. Through our support for schools together we share best practice to raise standards and to give students a better future and brighter hope. For more information visit: https://www.pixl.org.uk/

Mar 22, 2020 • 12min
Best of Me, Best of We
There are a few characteristics that many successful organisations share and they are very applicable to our schools. Some of these characteristics are how individuals feel about their work but the other ones are about how we relate to the whole organisation. How do we get the best out of each of us and all of us? Subscribe now to download every episode directly to your phone automatically. PiXL Pearls is a We Are In Beta production. PiXL (Partners in Excellence) is a partnership of over 1,600 secondary schools, 500 sixth forms, 830 primary schools and 75 providers of alternative education. Through our support for schools together we share best practice to raise standards and to give students a better future and brighter hope. For more information visit: https://www.pixl.org.uk/

Mar 8, 2020 • 10min
Love yourself
When we love ourselves appropriately we can love others. When we love ourselves appropriately we can recognise our strengths in a way that allows us to use them for good, bring the best out in others and be at ease with ourselves. Selfishness happens when we love ourselves inappropriately, when we think we are better than others and this is dangerous. So we must learn to love ourselves appropriately so we can give our best. Subscribe now to download every episode directly to your phone automatically. PiXL Pearls is a We Are In Beta production. PiXL (Partners in Excellence) is a partnership of over 1,600 secondary schools, 500 sixth forms, 830 primary schools and 75 providers of alternative education. Through our support for schools together we share best practice to raise standards and to give students a better future and brighter hope. For more information visit: https://www.pixl.org.uk/

Feb 23, 2020 • 11min
What Counts?
We only have a certain amount of time and energy. So we are well advised to use them well. Einstein reckoned not everything that counts can be counted and not everything that can be counted counts. This Pearl has some ideas about the things that really matter. Each of us works this out for ourselves to make a real difference. In a world where plenty of others tell us what should be measured - because it counts- the best leaders reflect on what they believe counts and focus time and energy on those things. Subscribe now to download every episode directly to your phone automatically. PiXL Pearls is a We Are In Beta production. PiXL (Partners in Excellence) is a partnership of over 1,600 secondary schools, 500 sixth forms, 830 primary schools and 75 providers of alternative education. Through our support for schools together we share best practice to raise standards and to give students a better future and brighter hope. For more information visit: https://www.pixl.org.uk/


