PiXL Leadership Bookclub

We’re starting the season with Shift by Dr Ethan Kross, a fascinating exploration of how our emotions work and how we can take charge of them using simple tools that sit right in front of us. From shifting perspective to grounding ourselves in our senses by pausing, Kross opens the door to practical, science-backed strategies that help us think clearly and make better decisions. Host Rachel Johnson (PiXL CEO) is joined by school leaders Dr Chris Baker and Rozina Mulla to discuss what these ideas look like in the everyday lives of educationalists. Together, they explore how leaders can use emotional awareness to improve decision-making, support their teams and create healthier, more productive school cultures. Expect honest reflections and relatable stories, as well as plenty of practical insights you can put to use straightaway like carrying out "space audits" and visualising techniques to manage emotions. Whether you’re keen to manage stress more effectively or help your staff navigate the emotional demands of the job, this episode offers powerful guidance grounded in neuroscience but fully rooted in education. Prepare to lead by managing your emotions, rather than being managed by your emotions. If you enjoyed PiXL Leadership Book Club... 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 Pearls. ⁠Subscribe on Apple Podcasts⁠ ⁠ Subscribe on Spotify 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 PiXL Leadership Book Club is back for Season 7 - with new books, new guests and lots of new takeaways to share. In each episode, two school leaders discuss how non-educational leadership books can help with leading remotely, building resilience, and even learning to rest. Now, there is a concept for leaders! We look at how the thinking behind huge corporations, and of change making leaders, can be applied to our teams in our settings, because our leadership is stronger when ideas are shared. So if you're looking for fresh thinking, actionable ideas, and a chance to pause and reflect, this is your invitation to join the conversation.  Join PIXL CEO - Rachel Johnson - every Wednesday, on the PiXL Leadership Book Club. Starting 25th March 2026. Follow us now in your podcast app to make sure you don't miss out. Books we’ll be discussing are: Come What May - Lucy Easthope Leading Remotely – Mike Parkes Rest - Alex Soojung-Kim Pang Shatterproof - Tasha Eurich Shift - Ethan Kross Team Habits - Charlie Gilkey The Founders Mentality: How to Overcome the Predictable Crises of Growth - Chris Zook and James Allen The Laws of Connection - David Robson

We hope you are enjoying your summer holidays! We are preparing for Series 7 of the PiXL Leadership Book Club Podcast and now it's your turn to be a guest discussing the books on the list. Click here to see which books we'll be discussing and to register your interest in taking part. Or... know someone who would be a great guest? Send them the link to this and tell them how brilliant they'd be. 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 PiXL Leadership Bookclub is a We Are In Beta production.

What if doing less is the key to achieving more? In this final episode of the PiXL Leadership Book Club, Rachel Johnson is joined by school leaders Tom Moseley and Stephanie Shaldas to discuss The One Thing by Gary Keller and Jay Papasan – a book that challenges everything we think we know about productivity, balance and success. Together, they unpack the dangers of distraction, the myth of multitasking and the liberating clarity of asking one powerful question: What's the ONE thing I can do such that by doing it everything else will be easier or unnecessary? In a profession that demands so much, this episode is a chance to pause and reflect on where we're really putting our energy, bravely asking ourselves 'what might change if we dared to focus?' Listen now, and if you are a PiXL member, explore the Leadership Thinking Guide on getting serious about subtraction to help you apply the insights to your work and your life. If you enjoyed PiXL Leadership Book Club... 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 Pearls. 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/

What does it take to break the cycle and who helps make that possible? In this deeply moving episode of the PiXL Leadership Book Club, Rachel Johnson is joined by Rebecca Broadley and Sapna Vadher to discuss Poor by Katriona O'Sullivan, a story of survival, resilience and the transformative power of education. Growing up in poverty, becoming a mum at 15 and experiencing homelessness, Katriona defied the odds and credits the teachers and mentors who saw something in her when it felt like no one else did. Her memoir is a fierce call to action to recognise the invisible battles many children face and to lead with compassion, high expectations and belief. Katriona has previously joined us to share her story at PiXL events and it never fails to stop people in their tracks. This conversation builds on that legacy, offering school leaders a powerful reminder: your words, your care, your belief might just be the turning point in a child's life. An unforgettable listen for anyone who leads, teaches or holds space for young people. If you enjoyed PiXL Leadership Book Club... 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 Pearls. 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/

What does it really take to lead well in today's uncertain and fast-moving world? In this episode of the PiXL Leadership Bookclub podcast, Rachel Johnson is joined by Lynsey Holzer and Kerim Ramadan to explore Ruthlessly Caring by Amy Walters Cohen. They reflect on how school leadership is evolving and what it means to embrace paradoxes like being ambitious while staying grounded, or confident while remaining humble. Drawing from the book's five leadership mindsets, this conversation offers practical insights for anyone leading in schools today, whether that is for one school, or many as part of your Trust! Tune in today for the practical top tips that you can use to master thinking through paradoxes, not simply being paralysed by them when they come up. If you enjoyed PiXL Leadership Book Club... 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 Pearls. 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/

Are we all using our last embers just to keep going in our jobs as teachers? This week on the PiXL Leadership Bookclub, Rachel Johnson is joined by guests to explore Women Who Work Too Much by Tamu Thomas. This is a powerful guide to breaking free from burnout, overwork and the pressure to prove your worth by doing more. Though written for women, the truths in this book resonate across the profession: educators are carrying an ever-growing load—at work, at home, and in their own heads. They dive into 'talk boundaries', rest, guilt and the belief that we must earn our worth through relentless effort. If you're tired of feeling stretched thin but still pushing through, this one's for you! Tune in and ask yourself: what might change if you stopped seeing rest as weakness? If you enjoyed PiXL Leadership Book Club... 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 Pearls. 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/

There's an art to negotiating, and who better to learn how to handle the toughest conversations than from a former hostage negotiator? In our next episode, we delve into Never Split the Difference by Chris Voss, a former international FBI hostage negotiator whose high-stakes experiences have shaped a revolutionary approach to everyday negotiation. Rachel (PiXL CEO), and Grace and Kay unpack how Voss transforms the tactics once reserved for life-or-death scenarios into practical strategies for influencing outcomes at work, in schools, and beyond. From tactical empathy to the surprising power of "no", and how a well-placed mirror or label can unlock breakthroughs, this is a masterclass in human connection and persuasion – something all school leaders can benefit from. Whether you're handling a tricky conversation with colleagues or parents, or just trying to get your pupils to do their homework, this episode has something for you. Get ready to negotiate like life depends on it – because sometimes, your success just might make a difference in those who you lead. If you enjoyed PiXL Leadership Book Club... 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 Pearls. 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/

1:1 meetings happen every day in schools, but are they as impactful as they could be? In this episode of the Leadership Book Club, PiXL CEO Rachel Johnson is joined by experienced school leaders Claire Moss and Aaron Wanford as they delve into Glad We Met by Steven G. Rogelberg. Drawing on research from top organisations, Rogelberg reveals how to make these meetings a tool for growth, not just another box to tick. Our guests explore strategies and share how they apply strategies to make meeting more meaningful from finding the right frequency, striking the balance between productivity and relationship-building and tailoring meetings to individual needs. With practical insights on listening, feedback and creating real value in every conversation in school, this episode is essential for leaders looking to make their meetings more effective and energising. If you've ever walked away from a 1:1 thinking, 'Was that really worth it?', this discussion is for you! If you enjoyed PiXL Leadership Book Club... 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 Pearls. 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/

Schools are fast-paced environments where time is precious, but too often, unnecessary friction slows us down. In this episode of the Leadership Book Club, PiXL CEO Rachel Johnson is joined by experienced school leaders Mariam Rizvi and Deneen Kenchington as they unpack their biggest takeaways from The Friction Project by Huggy Rao and Robert I. Sutton. Together, they explore how to spot and fix the everyday obstacles that waste time and energy – from overcomplicated systems to information overload. They discuss the power of becoming "trustees of others' time," why ending tasks well with "Ta-da" lists matters, and how subtraction specialists can help with streamlining processes, particularly in assessment. This episode is full of practical insights to help school leaders remove barriers, improve efficiency and create a smoother, more effective working environment. If you've ever felt bogged down by unnecessary complexity, this one's for you! If you enjoyed PiXL Leadership Book Club... 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 Pearls. 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/