PiXL Pearls

Moments of difficulty and trauma, that we've all been through with this pandemic, can be a way of starting our own personal growth: evaluating what's important, reflecting on the past, and thinking about who we want to be in the future. In this episode, Rachel Johnson begins by telling us a story from David Jason's book 'A Del of a Life', to make us consider how ultimately the hard things can help...

If you got to choose to be a 'super chicken' leader or an 'average chicken' leader you'd choose the former, right? And yet, this isn't what drives the most high-achieving teams. In this episode, Rachel Johnson draws parallels between a bizarre (and somewhat disturbing) tale of the super chicken massacre and leadership styles. To have 'super chicken' leadership means to place value on those who out...

In order to be your best self, you need the power of the right people behind you and beside you. This episode draws upon the example of one of the most successful Olympians of our time, Michael Phelps, and how the relationship and routine he established with the help of his coach and friend Bob Bowman, set him up for success. Rachel Johnson speaks about habits, routine, and the significance of sil...

In education, we are in the business of connection. Ultimately, when students, staff and stakeholders feel a sense of community towards your school and its 'emotional script', they are likely to engage and commit at a much deeper level. In this episode, Rachel Johnson draws upon stories from Alfred Hitchcock, Apple, Disney and more in order to ask: how does your school make you feel? PiXL Pearls:...

'Editing' is making a decision about what serves you and what you are better off without. This episode draws upon examples from important editors of art, literature, and film in order to help demonstrate why editing is an essential skill for us all. These days are filled with pressures and anxieties, but sometimes it is important to ask, "What are you going to 'stop' doing? What can be cut from yo...

How do you make time to be able to think? Do you allow yourself to stand alone with your thoughts? In this episode of PiXL Pearls, Rachel Johnson puts forward that perhaps many of us are not investing the time we should, to find space and clarity within our own minds. There are 3 things, Rachel suggests, that might help us mentally declutter. We hope at this time, when so many of us feel overloade...

In this first episode, The Voice, Rachel talks about the importance of the voices we listen to, and of discovering our own voice and why it may just be important to use it. Reflecting on the year that has gone and being released on the anniversary of Sir John's death, this episode aims to encourage, challenge and support you, leaving you in no doubt if the important role you play in the lives of o...

PiXL Pearls is back for season 2. January 17th. 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 1 was presented by Founder-Director Sir John Rowling, an...

We have our defining moments, all of us, but as teachers, we may well also be providing these for others, often unwittingly. Sir John Rowling reflects on how often the impact of these defining moments can alter the course of our lives, even if they occur by chance. He reflects on the defining moment that started him on a magnificent career in education, and the moment which led to the eventual for...

When you take over a job from someone else, at whatever level, there is always the expectation that you have to fill their shoes and various ways to approach it. In this episode of PiXL Pearls, Sir John Rowling draws on the steps Tim Cook took when he replaced Steve Jobs as Apple CEO in 2011. He focused on instilling values, focusing on strengths, and retaining and hiring talent. By focusing on th...

In this episode of PiXL Pearls, Sir John Rowling contemplates the disingenuous use of words such as 'passionate' and 'excited'. There's no doubt there is value in these words if you truly feel them and can communicate it to others. Sometimes, however, they can feel like the right thing to say even when it's not altogether true. Can you recall feeling cynical about someone else's passion for a proj...

Can people trust what you say? Or are they inclined to say in their private conversations and inner thoughts, 'I take everything they say with a pinch of salt'? This episode of PiXL Pearls is about lying, and how that relates to trust in an organisation. Lies happen a lot in leadership, but if we want respected leadership, then there is a strong case for the truth. Subscribe now to download every...

This week's episode takes inspiration from the reflections of newsreader Trevor McDonald in his autobiography 'An Improbable Life'. McDonald muses over how there is, almost always, a price to be paid when in pursuit of your 'prizes'. What is the elusive 'pot of gold' that you strive towards as your prize? Sir John Rowling suggests the answer is to be thrilled by the joy of the chase for your pot o...

In these times, looking after our teams is so important and shouldn't be underestimated. In this episode, Sir John Rowling draws inspiration from Nelson Mandela, a man who led people and made them feel like they mattered. How do you make your staff feel important? And why is doing so vital for impressive leadership? Subscribe now to download every episode directly to your phone automatically. PiXL...

In this episode of PiXL Pearls, Sir John Rowling explores the idea that noble aspirations are not enough on their own to guarantee you'll succeed. In schools, as with all settings, you need the ability to bring people together through leadership skills and talent too. How often do you take time to reflect on your leadership skills and to develop these? Subscribe now to download every episode direc...

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...

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 wo...

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)...

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 s...

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...

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,...

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...

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 P...

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 appropriate...

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 - beca...