Glad We Met
PiXL Leadership Bookclub
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...
info_outline
The Friction Project
PiXL Leadership Bookclub
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...
info_outline
Languishing
PiXL Leadership Bookclub
We’re kicking off Series 6 with Languishing by Corey Keyes, the book that finally puts a name to that feeling of being stuck, drained and just going through the motions. Rachel Johnson is joined by school leaders Chris and Angela to explore how this shows up in education and, more importantly, what we can do about it. From recognising the signs in ourselves and our teams to finding simple ways to boost motivation and well-being, this episode is packed with practical takeaways. Together, they unpack insightful strategies for recognising and overcoming this state – helping school leaders...
info_outline
Season 6 - starting March 12th
PiXL Leadership Bookclub
The PiXL Leadership Bookclub Podcast is back! New books, fresh insights and real conversations about what great leadership looks like in schools. This series, we’re exploring a great range of non-educational leadership books, including: Languishing: How to Feel Alive Again in a World That Wears Us Down – because ‘just getting by’ isn’t the goal. The Friction Project: How Smart Leaders Make the Right Things Easier and the Wrong Things Harder – finding flow in leadership. Glad We Met: The Art and Science of 1:1 Meetings – making every conversation count. Never Split the...
info_outline
The 4 Disciplines of Execution
PiXL Leadership Bookclub
Welcome to the final episode of Series 5 of the PiXL Leadership Book Club. Join host Rachel Johnson (PiXL CEO) as she dives into "The 4 Disciplines of Execution" by Chris McChesney, Sean Covey, and Jim Huling. This week, Rachel is joined by Leo Dudin (Deputy Head Academic at Oakham School) and Carly Woodall (Head of Year 6 at Brooklands School). Together, they unpack the timeless principles of focus, leverage, engagement, and accountability from the book that has shaped much of PiXL's methodology. Discover how these educational leaders apply the four disciplines to enhance student outcomes and...
info_outline
Fractured
PiXL Leadership Bookclub
Welcome to the penultimate episode of the 5th series of the PiXL Leadership Bookclub! Join Rachel Johnson, PiXL CEO, with Chandini Misra (Principal at Repton Al Barsha in Dubai) and Amos Turner-Wardell (Principal at Regents International School Pattaya in Thailand), as they explore Jon Yates' impactful book, "Fractured: Why Our Societies Are Coming Apart and How We Put Them Back Together Again". Yates' book delves into the root causes of societal division and offers a hopeful roadmap for fostering belonging and unity. In a world where we increasingly spend less time with those different from...
info_outline
The Promise That Changes Everything
PiXL Leadership Bookclub
Explore Nancy Kline's "The Promise That Changes Everything" with Rachel Johnson (PiXL, CEO) Angela Stanton, Headteacher at Brookhurst School in Warwickshire, and Chris Stephens, Deputy Head at The Romsey School in Southampton. In a world where communication is key, Kline's book introduces a powerful promise: "I won't interrupt you". Learn how this pledge can strengthen relationships and improve conversations, particularly in the educational arena. Join these experienced leaders as they uncover practical strategies for better listening, drawing from Kline's research on independent thought and...
info_outline
The Talent Code
PiXL Leadership Bookclub
Host Rachel Johnson is joined by Paul Ainsworth (author and Education Director at Infinities Academy Trust), and Damith Bandara (Deputy Head at St Margaret's CofE in London), as they dig out the gems from Daniel Coyle's "The Talent Code: Unlocking the Secret of Skill". In this captivating book, Coyle reveals the key elements for optimising performance in sports, art, music, math, and more. Our guests unpack precisely how to apply this to the educational environment, giving us nuggets of wisdom they’ve collected as experienced school leaders. Learn about ‘Deep Practice’, ‘Ignition’,...
info_outline
High Performance
PiXL Leadership Bookclub
Welcome to another insightful episode of the PiXL Leadership Bookclub! This week, Rachel Johnson (PiXL CEO) is joined by Alan Brooks (Deputy Head at St Michael's CofE High School in Wolverhampton) and Dina Shah (Deputy Principal at St Julian's School in Portugal). Together, they explore the transformative wisdom of Jake Humphrey and Professor Damian Hughes' "High Performance: Lessons from the Best on Becoming Your Best". Humphrey and Hughes reveal the eight essential habits of the world's leading sportspeople, coaches, and entrepreneurs– but what relevance could these lessons have in a...
info_outline
Fearless Organisation
PiXL Leadership Bookclub
Welcome to the PiXL Leadership Bookclub, where this week, brave humble and fearless leadership takes centre stage! Join Rachel Johnson (PiXL CEO) along with Saiqua Zaneb (Assistant Head, Central Foundation Girls' School) and Cat Rushton, (Director of Institute, Academy Transformation Trust) as they uncover profound insights from Amy C. Edmondson’s ground-breaking book, "The Fearless Organization". Edmondson’s work serves as a guiding beacon for cultivating psychological safety within teams, fostering an environment conducive to learning, innovation, and growth. Discover the vital...
info_outlineFrom Kiss-up/Kick-downers, to Credit-Stealers, Bulldozers, Free-riders, Micromanagers, Neglectful bosses, and Gas-lighters, there are several types of “jerks” we may encounter in our lives, including within the schooling environment. We all have the capacity to be a jerk at work and to cause others problems, but how we recognise that in ourselves and those around us can really impact the flow of a team. Author Tessa West, a leading expert on interpersonal communication, sheds light on how to handle difficult colleagues with grace and professionalism. In this episode, we will explore the strategies outlined in her book and learn from our guest speakers' real-life examples
Tune in to our latest episode of the Leadership Bookclub podcast, where we discuss Tessa West's ground-breaking book, 'Jerks at Work.' Our esteemed guest speakers, Lynsey White (Assistant Headteacher at a school in Cornwall), and Shakiara Valu, (Head of Performing Arts and Drama at Collingwood College), will join Rachel Johnson, PiXL CEO, to share their experiences and insights on dealing with challenging personalities within different educational and workplace settings. Don't miss out on this exciting, informative, and truly vital conversation.
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.
Subscribe now to download every episode directly to your phone automatically.