Jacinda Ardern is New Zealand’s current Prime Minister. But, before you stop reading and shrug this off as just another politics discussion, stay with us. It’s Ardern’s people-first approach to politics that interests us.
Her Government has focused heavily on social issues including the housing crisis, child poverty, inequality and, most notably, her leadership through the aftermath of the Christchurch mosque shootings. She swiftly introduced strict gun laws. And most recently, her empathetic ‘I’ll stand with you’ style of handling the COVID-19 crisis.
At just 39, Ardern is the world’s youngest, female head of Government. She’s the third female Prime Minister and the second elected leader in history to have a baby while in office. In fact, she’s described as the most powerful woman in the Southern Hemisphere (if not, the world!)
Let’s be honest, her empathetic leadership is worlds apart from Trump, the Eagle. He’s got Peacock qualities, too… all show, no depth.
Don’t know what this bird type reference is all about? It’s the four Tick personality types in our practical tool (that you can learn more about in the red form below).
In Ardern’s address at Melbourne Town Hall, she said: “fear and blame are an easy political out. Instead of turning inwards, we can improve the institutions that have helped hold together this long period of global peace. We can offer meaningful support, and more than just financially, to those at the bottom.”
Her talk is empowering, refreshing and humanly, aspirational. She prompts us to think about movement, not in terms of GDP growth, but in the health of our children, access to important services, and the nature around us.
Empowered leadership is free of divides, moral panic, fear-imposing body language, and narcissistic traits.
It takes down walls, not builds them. She’s a communicator, a great manager of expectations.
Arden leads with love, empathy and integrity. She didn’t react to the Christchurch shootings with hate, spite or aggression. But rather, showing compassion and love, by working on resolutions. She did not come from a place of us vs. them – positioning Muslims as separate.
“No,” she said. “They are us. New Zealand had been chosen because it was safe, because it was not a place for hatred or racism. Because we represent diversity, kindness, compassion, and home for those who share our values. Refuge for those who need it.”
Where other leaders make threats, Ardern exudes sympathy and a quest for real, humane solutions to the problems we face.
This isn’t about gender and feminism. But rather, it serves a wonderful example of a style of leadership that’s empowering to all, solutions-focused, and unites us as a society.
It makes us believe in something again. And if there’s any place that needs this the most, it’s politics.
Ardern’s primary character is a Dove. But we’d love to know her Tick personality results. She’s motivated by a sense of belonging and the human spirit… not by being on a power trip and knocking down anything that gets in her way. She has a steely determination behind that caring outer. She has a drive to follow her beliefs and is no pushover. These are characteristics of the Eagle. So, we see her as the rare combination of the Dove-Eagle.
Ardern challenges us to re-think how we can lead, whether it’s in an office or up there, in Government. Fill in your contact details in the red form and we’ll send you free samples of our personality assessment tools.
It’ll make you start pondering… ‘what kind of leader am I?’ The world is craving more Doves in power, don’t you think?