PiXL Leadership Bookclub

What makes a great strategy? According to Seth Godin, it starts with asking better questions.

In last episode of Series 7 of the PiXL Leadership Book Club, Rachel Johnson is joined by school leaders Sian Cumming and Luke Moseley to explore This Is Strategy, a refreshingly different leadership book packed with thought-provoking ideas rather than traditional chapters.

Together, they reflect on what strategy really means in schools, from designing elegant systems and creating the conditions for success to resisting the temptation of heroic fixes. They explore how shared language, culture and clear thinking can transform organisations, why hidden decisions "get mouldy", and how leaders can make time for the work of thinking, not just the job of doing.

Expect practical insights into building better systems, leading meaningful change and choosing the right questions before chasing the right answers. Along the way, the conversation unpacks memorable ideas such as "systemic advantage defeats heroic effort", why constraints can be a gift, and how finding the right balance of coaches and cheerleaders can strengthen leadership.

Whether you're leading a classroom, a department or an entire school, this episode offers a powerful reminder that great leadership isn't about having all the answers - it's about creating the conditions where better ones can emerge.

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

What does it take to grow an organisation without losing what made it effective in the first place?

In this episode, Rachel Johnson is joined by Dele Rotimi and Deborah Syme to explore The Founder’s Mentality by Chris Zook and James Allen. The book challenges the idea that growth challenges are driven by external pressures, arguing instead that the biggest risks are internal, loss of clarity, increasing distance from the front line and the steady creep of complexity.

Applying these ideas to education, this conversation explores how school and trust leaders can stay anchored in purpose, maintain a strong sense of ownership across teams and remain closely connected to the everyday realities of students and staff. From simplifying processes to sharpening focus, the discussion highlights practical ways to protect culture and sustain momentum as organisations evolve.

This episode offers a powerful lens on growth leadership, reminding us that scaling successfully is not about doing more, but about staying true to what matters most.

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

In this episode we take on one of the most widely accepted ideas in leadership and ask a difficult question: what if resilience isn’t enough?

In Shatterproof, organisational psychologist Dr Tasha Eurich challenges the belief that we should simply “push through” tough times. Instead, she offers a more honest and sustainable approach, one that recognises that resilience has limits and that growth comes not from endurance alone, but from understanding and responding to what we truly need.

Rachel Johnson is joined by Paul Staveley and Anna‑Marie Rooney to explore what this means in the context of school leadership. Together, they reflect on the pressures leaders face, the reality of feeling stretched too thin and the habits that can keep us stuck in cycles of exhaustion.

This is a conversation about moving beyond coping. From recognising personal stress triggers to replacing unhelpful patterns with ones that restore energy and clarity, the episode offers practical, research‑informed ways to turn challenge into meaningful growth.

Honest, thought‑provoking and deeply relevant, this episode invites leaders to rethink not just how they survive difficult moments, but how they emerge from them stronger and more self‑aware.

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

Episode 5 of this series invites us to challenge one of the most deeply embedded beliefs in leadership: that working harder always leads to better outcomes.

In this episode, Rachel Johnson is joined by Glynn Palmer‑Bell and Sevda Halavurt to explore Rest by Alex Soojung‑Kim Pang, a book that makes the case for “deliberate rest” as a crucial part of high performance. Drawing on scientific research and examples from some of history’s most creative thinkers, Pang shows that rest isn’t the opposite of work, it’s what makes great work possible.

Together, they reflect on what this looks like in the reality of school life, where the pressure to keep going can feel relentless. From rethinking productivity to recognising the role of rest in creativity, clarity and decision‑making, this conversation offers a refreshing and much‑needed perspective.

This episode challenges the idea that exhaustion is a badge of honour and instead reframes rest as a leadership discipline. If you want to lead with more energy, sharper thinking and greater sustainability, this is a conversation worth listening to.

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

Leading across multiple schools or teams brings a unique challenge: how do you stay connected, aligned and impactful when you can’t always be physically present?

In this episode of the PiXL Leadership Book Club, Rachel Johnson is joined by Daniel Terry (Deputy Chief Executive Officer, Cygnus Academies Trust) and, Victoria Blunt (Executive Headteacher, Harlington and Sundon Lower Schools) to explore Leading Remotely by Mike Parkes, a thought-provoking look at leadership in an increasingly connected world.

Together, they unpack what remote leadership means in education today, particularly within MATs and across multiple school sites. From building strong cultures and maintaining clarity of vision to avoiding micromanagement and creating genuine ownership, this conversation explores the tensions and opportunities that come with leading from afar.

The discussion dives into practical strategies around communication, meetings, accountability and decision-making, alongside reflections on how leaders can move beyond chasing the latest KPI and instead stay rooted in purpose and values. Expect honest insights into what happens when leadership evolves beyond a single site and why clarity, connection and culture matter more than ever.

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

What does it really mean to lead through uncertainty, disruption and loss?

In this episode, Rachel Johnson is joined by Victoria Reed and Jo Smith to discuss Come What May by Professor Lucy Easthope, a powerful and compassionate guide to navigating life’s most difficult moments. Drawing on her experience supporting survivors of major disasters, Easthope offers a clear-eyed view of what recovery actually looks like, not a straight line, but a complex and often messy process.

Together, they explore what this means for school leaders: how to respond in moments of crisis, how to support others without overreaching, and how to recognise the quieter phases of recovery that often go unseen. From the idea of the “slump” to the risks of learned helplessness, this conversation brings honesty, depth and practical wisdom to the realities of leading in challenging times.

This is an episode about resilience, but not the polished kind. It’s about carrying on, making sense of what’s happened and finding a way forward with care, patience and humanity.

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

In Episode 3, the Leadership Bookclub turns its focus to one of the most powerful yet underestimated forces in leadership: connection.

Drawing on The Laws of Connection by David Robson, this episode explores why relationships matter far more than we often realise, not just for wellbeing but for effectiveness, creativity and long‑term success. Robson’s research reveals that our ability to connect isn’t limited by personality or confidence, but by hidden psychological barriers that quietly shape how we relate to others.

Rachel Johnson is joined by Ronan Sharkey and Kiran Satti for a thoughtful and energising conversation about what this means for schools and colleges. Together, they unpack ideas such as the liking gap, the beautiful mess effect and fast‑friendship, and reflect on how leaders can build deeper, more trusting relationships with staff, students and colleagues.

This episode challenges the myth that connection comes naturally and shows how intentional, evidence‑based practices can transform school culture. If you’re looking to strengthen trust, collaboration and belonging in your community, this conversation offers powerful insights and practical starting points.

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

Team culture doesn’t come from posters or policies. It comes from the habits we repeat every day.

This episode dives into Team Habits by Charlie Gilkey, a book that shows how small adjustments to the way people work together can transform energy, belonging and overall impact.

Joining Rachel Johnson are Matt Renshaw and Claire Harley, who bring real stories from school life to the table. They unpack why team culture isn’t shaped by big initiatives but by the repeated rhythms we often barely notice: how meetings run, how communication flows, how expectations are shared and how people signal their availability.

This episode is full of “oh, that’s us” moments and simple changes that can reduce friction almost immediately. If you’re a leader eager to strengthen collaboration, boost morale or create a calmer, more purposeful environment, this conversation offers practical, realistic starting points.

From "rocket practice" frameworks that out into practice communicating effectively, to DRIP (decision, recommendation, intention or plan), there are so many golden nuggets that you can try out in your team meetings. Tune in today!

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

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: