Jacinda Ardern
A Different Kind of Power
“Empathy is nothing without action.”
Jacinda Ardern
One would not expect that a young girl growing up on an apple farm, driving a tractor, would become a global changemaker. And yet Jacinda Ardern has done just that. Becoming prime minister of New Zealand at age 37, she was the youngest head of state in the entire world. Sharing her enormous wisdom, immense heart and infinite kindness, she has touched lives everywhere, demonstrating A Different Kind of Power.
Raised in a working class home, she learned civic responsibility from her parents, as her father was a lifelong police officer and her mother a school cafeteria worker. Her father taught her the power of community, dignity and trust. And he shared that “ the greatest tool I have will always be my words.” She carried those profound lessons from home throughout her time as Prime Minister, and made significant ripples around the world.
What set Jacinda Ardern apart from her political opponents was radical transparency, something that resonated deeply with a disillusioned populace. She also understood politics, as she had been advising Prime Minister Helen Clark when she was only in her twenties. She also worked in Tony Blair’s cabinet office in London.
Jacinda Ardern has a clear moral authority, feeling a deep-seated sense of responsibility to serve others. This carried her through during some of the most challenging times in New Zealand history. To each crisis, she brought political savvy coupled with a thoughtful, humanitarian approach.
Like so many women, she has grappled with impostor syndrome most of her life. This “confidence gap” actually made her a better leader, as she prepared thoroughly for each situation, inviting in experts to share their knowledge, reading everything she could, and then making decisions from her value system. That applied to events she could never have predicted.
In 2019, the country was shaken by a horrific mass shooting during Friday prayers at two mosques in Christchurch. 51 people died and 40 others were injured. The assailant shockingly broadcast the massacre live on Facebook, and was sentenced to life in prison with no chance of parole. What is most notable is the swift and immediate response of Prime Minister Ardern. In just ten days, her government passed a revolutionary law banning assault rifles and military type semi-automatic weapons, as well as a national gun buyback program. This powerful and courageous action was followed by her Christchurch Call to Action Summit, focused on preventing the spread of terrorism on digital media.
Jacinda Ardern provided a new role model of emotionally intelligent leadership in the face of cruelty. She instinctively knew to get on the ground as close to the crisis as she could, meeting with Muslim families, sharing their grief and outrage. Her authenticity and willingness to embrace those who were hurting built trust and healing at this awful time.
These actions produced uncommon solidarity and support throughout New Zealand. Thousands of people attended the memorial services and the Al Noor mosque was repaired and restored. The massacres and Ms. Ardern’s response to them reshaped the country’s stance on hate crimes, gun control and global digital responsibility. As she told Oprah Winfrey, “ I have never felt more privileged to lead than I did during that period.”
She approached the global pandemic with the same level of care and compassion. She urged her country to “be strong, be kind.” Because of her swift action closing the borders, and her transparent communication, New Zealand had one of the lowest death rates in the world.
Throughout her time as Prime Minister, Jacinda Ardern led in a uniquely female manner. In a loving relationship with her now husband, they had been trying to have a family. Much to her surprise, she learned that she was pregnant the same night she was elected. At the time, she was only the second leader in the world to give birth while in office. Breastfeeding her daughter in the back seat of her car between official meetings, Prime Minister Ardern made history again by being the first leader to bring her baby to the UN General Assembly. She is quick to point out that it takes a village to raise a child and that she could never have done what she did without the support of her husband, the primary caregiver, and her team.
In 2023, after careful deliberation and self-analysis, she decided not to seek re-election. Her candid words reflected what was in her heart: “I no longer had enough in the tank” to do justice to the job. She wanted to spend more time with her husband and daughter and recharge. It’s a rare leader who can willingly give up political power, but she has never regretted it. And she is proud of the work she did: “I know I did my best.”
After leaving office, she took on two more extraordinary projects. She wrote her first book, A Different Kind of Power, which is revelatory and impactful. She also founded the Field Fellowship for Empathetic Leaders to support politicians who want to employ emotional intelligence as a successful way to lead. Looking at the world today with Oprah Winfrey, she said, “We need to remember our shared humanity.”
Her husband, a broadcaster, recently completed a documentary of her life released in June 2025 called “Prime Minister.”
Jacinda Ardern is an incredible sheroe in today’s world, demonstrating that even in politics, leadership with empathy, courage and a focus on humanity can be highly successful.
With her authenticity and courage,
Jacinda Ardern left a legacy of:
- Empathy and compassion
- Gun control and zero tolerance for hate crimes
- Expanded parental leave benefi
- A reduction in child poverty
- Improved digital responsibility
- A humanitarian approach to leadership
Lessons from Jacinda Ardern’s Life:
She taught the world that empathy is not weakness, but rather a powerful tool for unity.
“Kindness has a power and strength.”
Transparent communication in a crisis yields great results. She shared both what she knew and did not know throughout various crises and built trust with her people. She also demonstrated that swift action can be taken in the face of sudden violence.
And by leaving office when she did, she demonstrated her integrity and willingness to be true to herself and her family. “I refuse to believe that you cannot be both compassionate and strong.“
Action Steps You Can Take:
- Where can you solicit expert help with your goals and dreams? Who could you tap for their knowledge?
- Where can you employ your emotional intelligence and empathy to a greater degree?
- What activities drain your energy? Could you resign from them?
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