Charm is powerful. Discernment is paramount.
This episode of the PiXL Pearls Series 9 explores how charm can connect and elevate – and how it can also distract, manipulate and conceal what really matters. Hosted by Rachel Johnson (PiXL CEO), this episode uses the story of Enron to examine what happens when magnetic personalities, weak oversight and silence create the perfect conditions for ethical failure.
A powerful reflection on the bright and dark sides of charm, how “charm offensives” work, and why leaders and followers alike must learn to spot the difference between connection and performance.
Have a listen to get wiser as a leader, not wowed as a follower. Remember! Charm may catch your attention but discernment protects your judgement.
Plus, there are free downloadable resources on the PiXL website to help you take the reflection further.
If you enjoyed PiXL Pearls...
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 Leadership Bookclub.
Subscribe on Apple Podcasts
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PiXL Pearls are short reflections on life and leadership which inspire, encourage, motivate and challenge thinking. The series is hosted by Rachel Johnson (PiXL CEO), who draws 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.
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
Information
- Show
- FrequencyUpdated Semimonthly
- PublishedFebruary 15, 2026 at 5:30 AM UTC
- Length14 min
- Season9
- Episode6
- RatingClean
