A DIFFERENT KIND OF POWER by Jacinda Ardern
A political memoir seeped in empathy, kindness and twenty-first century leadership
I have to say this from the top: I am a big Jacinda Ardern fan.
#fangirl
When this book was released a couple of weeks ago, I went and bought it that day. When I ran for parliament unsuccessfully myself, I tried to take a leaf out of Ardern’s book in how I approached politics, constitutents and those around me: utilising my personal rapport with people, emphasising kindness and empathy, and promising hard work as a representative. I did not engage in nasty politics. I didn’t tolerate name calling or dirty politics - and my team knew it too.
While I was unsuccessful in my bid, I don’t regret my approach one bit.
Jacinda Ardern was the third female Prime Minister of New Zealand and reached that office aged 37. That in itself is astonishing and something that my home country of Australia simply is not mature enough to contemplate, much less achieve. Not for the first time, New Zealand shows the rest of us how it can be done.During her time as Prime Minister, Jacinda led the country through a mass shooting in Christchurch, and a biosecurity crisis with a cattle disease that could collapse the economy. She led the nation through a volcanic eruption that killed dozens. Notably, she led New Zealand through the Covid-19 pandemic, ensuring New Zealand suffered only 25 fatalities as a result.
Twenty-five.
Easy to know that is 25 more than anyone would like, but a number the rest of the world could only dream of.
Throughout her time as PM, she also had a child and maintained a positive yet decisive outlook on her role and on what her government could achieve.
One thing I am certain of is that New Zealand truly doesn’t understand just how admired Jacinda Ardern is globally, and how lucky they were to have her lead them. She may not be perfect, but as politicians go, she’s outstanding and I wonder if our Kiwi mates over the ditch would be so critical if they experienced the leadership many other countries endured during those years. As an Australian, many of us looked across the Tasman Sea and wished our Prime Ministers had half as much decency or integrity.
This is a really well written memoir - it is not overly self serving, the way political memoirs often are. It doesn’t gloss over the mistakes, nor dwell on them. It’s clear that, despite her capability and success, Jacinda Ardern still questions herself and really searches her soul for guidance on doing things right, or at least as well as is possible. I like that in a leader - someone who doesn’t pretend to have all the answers or know everything, and who constantly checks in with their own values and integrity, as a barometer of their decision making.
I also deeply admire her steadfastness in remaining strong backed but soft hearted (thankyou, Brene Brown), empathetic and kind, and modelling that successful politicians can lead globally respected countries with that approach. She has her critics, but I truly consider Jacinda Ardern a model of what leadership should look like from our politicians. She modelled what promoting the best of us can achieve.
It’s exciting to think that there is so much more that Jacinda Ardern can and will achieve in the second half of her life. I’d love a more specific book about leadership from her. I’ve waited for her to write a post-politics memoir, and I wasn’t disappointed.
