Structure is crucial to build a strong leadership foundation, but at times, inflexibility can be a cause of collapse.

In this episode, Rachel Johnson (PiXL CEO) unpacks LEGO’s dramatic rise, near-fall, and ultimate comeback.

Their obsession with quality made them legends, but by the late '90s, that same rigidity nearly sank them.

When they finally pivoted, they went too far, sacrificing core values for risky innovation.

Yet, LEGO’s story didn’t end in disaster, largely attributed to an embracing of balancing paradoxes—innovation with discipline, creativity with control.

Join Rachel as she outlines the dangers of overplaying strengths, the importance of a bifocal perspective that keeps one eye on the present and one on the future, and the power of embracing both/and thinking.

Tune in to “Inflexibility” to find that sweet spot where flexibility meets consistency, and where you can lead with both humility and confidence.

Check out the PiXL website: https://www.pixl.org.uk/ for free downloads

Read Rachel's new book: Time to Think 2: The Things that stop us and how to deal with them

Listen to the PiXL Leadership Bookclub.

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.

Series 2, 3, 4 and 5 are presented by Rachel Johnson, CEO of PiXL, and Series 1 was presented by Founder-Director Sir John Rowling.

They both draw on literature, life, and experience in leadership to explore different elements of what it is to be a good leader and how we can become even better leaders, both in and out of schools.

Subscribe now to download every episode directly to your phone automatically.

PiXL Pearls is a We Are In Beta production.

For more information visit: https://www.pixl.org.uk/

Effective collaboration is a capstone of effective leadership for all involved, yet it is a skill that many find hard to master – both within and outside the schooling environment. In this episode of the PiXL Pearls podcast, Rachel Johnson (PiXL CEO) dives into the high-stakes collaboration that created the legendary Blackadder. Ben Elton and Richard Curtis wrote separately, swapping scripts and ruthlessly editing each other’s work.

But when their sharp wit collided with Stephen Fry and Rowan Atkinson in rehearsals, creative sparks—and tensions—ignited, leading to the series' dramatic end. Rachel also explores how PIXAR’s 'Brain Trust' turned similar tension into storytelling magic.

This episode is packed with leadership lessons—from embracing diverse perspectives to setting clear boundaries in collaboration, and knowing when to step back without stifling creativity.

Check out the PiXL website: https://www.pixl.org.uk/ for free downloads

Read Rachel's new book: Time to Think 2: The Things that stop us and how to deal with them

Listen to the PiXL Leadership Bookclub.

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.

Series 2, 3, 4 and 5 are presented by Rachel Johnson, CEO of PiXL, and Series 1 was presented by Founder-Director Sir John Rowling.

They both draw on literature, life, and experience in leadership to explore different elements of what it is to be a good leader and how we can become even better leaders, both in and out of schools.

Subscribe now to download every episode directly to your phone automatically.

PiXL Pearls is a We Are In Beta production.

For more information visit: https://www.pixl.org.uk/

Sadness is often considered to be a dreary topic, but it's vital to our humanity, and especially so in roles as educators and school leaders. Defined as a natural response to emotional pain, sadness can actually enhance our attention to detail, perseverance, generosity, and gratitude.

In this episode of the PiXL Pearls podcast, Rachel Johnson (PiXL CEO) explores the unexpected power of sadness through the lens of a remarkable event: the 1914 Christmas Truce during WWI.

Soldiers, enemies just moments before, came together in a profound display of humanity, driven by their shared sadness. Joy was born in the midst of profound sadness, and hope was found where there had been hopelessness.

Uncover how embracing sadness can drive meaningful change, foster deep connections, and encourage gratitude in your school and community. Learn how to handle collective sadness, support struggling colleagues and students, and cultivate an attitude of kindness and appreciation.

Check out the PiXL website: https://www.pixl.org.uk/ for free downloads

Read Rachel's new book: Time to Think 2: The Things that stop us and how to deal with them

Listen to the PiXL Leadership Bookclub.

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.

Series 2, 3, 4 and 5 are presented by Rachel Johnson, CEO of PiXL, and Series 1 was presented by Founder-Director Sir John Rowling.

They both draw on literature, life, and experience in leadership to explore different elements of what it is to be a good leader and how we can become even better leaders, both in and out of schools.

Subscribe now to download every episode directly to your phone automatically.

PiXL Pearls is a We Are In Beta production.

For more information visit: https://www.pixl.org.uk/