Oprah and Jacinda Ardern: A Different Kind of Power

Leading with Kindness: A Conversation with Jacinda Ardern

Introduction to Jacinda Ardern

• The episode features former New Zealand Prime Minister, Dame Jacinda Ardern, who made history as the youngest female head of state at 37.

• Ardern emphasizes her leadership philosophy centered around kindness, which she discusses in her memoir "A Different Kind of Power."

• The conversation also touches on a documentary titled "Prime Minister," highlighting the importance of humanity amidst challenges.

Personal Reflections on New Zealand

• Oprah shares her admiration for New Zealand's breathtaking landscapes and its people during her filming experience.

• Ardern expresses deep affection for New Zealanders and reflects on the unique connection felt among them globally.

• She humorously notes that New Zealand has more sheep than people, showcasing national pride.

The Concept of Power in Leadership

• Oprah praises the title of Ardern's book, prompting a discussion about its significance and inspiration.

• Ardern reveals an early title idea was "Run," but it was deemed misleading; ultimately settling on "A Different Kind of Power."

• She reflects on personal traits perceived as weaknesses, such as lack of confidence and impostor syndrome experienced since adolescence.

Addressing Impostor Syndrome

• Ardern describes how she first learned about impostor syndrome at age 14, resonating with many people's experiences.

• Despite having supportive family and teachers, she struggles to identify the origin of her confidence gap.

• She recounts an exercise with young women where they expressed aspirations versus what they believed they could achieve.

The Role of Kindness in Leadership

• Discussing kindness as a guiding principle during her tenure as Prime Minister amid global challenges like racism and isolationism.

• Ardern attributes much of her understanding of kindness to lessons learned from her parents' roles in community service and policing.

Navigating Challenges in Politics

• Reflecting on entering politics, she initially thought toughness was necessary but later embraced sensitivity as strength.

• She acknowledges that while politics can be aggressive, most politicians are motivated by genuine intentions to improve lives.

Balancing Motherhood and Leadership

• Recalling the moment before winning the election when she discovered she was pregnant; this added complexity to her new role.

• Describes feelings during negotiations post-election while managing pregnancy-related challenges alongside political responsibilities.

Historic Moments in Office

• Highlights bringing her baby to the UN General Assembly—a historic first—emphasizing logistics over symbolism at that moment.

The Importance of Community Support

Collaboration and Shared Responsibility

• Emphasizes the message that while individuals can achieve a lot, they should not expect to do it alone; even superheroes like Wonder Woman need support.

• Reflects on personal experiences with child poverty, highlighting the contrast between her fortunate upbringing and those less privileged.

• Advocates for extending paid parental leave and increasing government support for single parents, recognizing the challenges they face.

Redefining Parenting Roles

Challenging Traditional Norms

• Discusses her husband Clark's role as a primary caregiver, showcasing a modern approach to parenting that defies traditional gender roles.

• Shares how other men approached Clark to discuss their own experiences as primary caregivers, indicating a shift in societal norms around fatherhood.

• Highlights the importance of recognizing different life seasons in partnerships, where both partners can take turns in various roles.

Leadership During Crisis

Navigating Unforeseen Challenges

• Describes how past experiences prepared her for leadership but nothing could prepare her for the Christchurch mass shooting tragedy.

• Recalls the shock of New Zealand experiencing its worst mass shooting in history and reflects on her emotional response during this time.

• Discusses how she leaned into her emotions as a leader rather than suppressing them, which is often expected in leadership roles.

Responding to Tragedy with Humanity

Empathy in Leadership

• Addresses the attack's motivation aimed at creating division within New Zealand’s inclusive society and emphasizes unity against such ideologies.

• Expresses pride in leading during this period, witnessing New Zealanders' overwhelming grief and rejection of violence against their Muslim community.

• Reflective on receiving gratitude from the Muslim community worldwide for standing with them during their time of loss.

The Role of Proximity in Effective Leadership

Understanding Community Needs

• Stresses the importance of being present with affected communities during crises to understand their needs better.

• Remembers instinctively knowing she needed to be among those grieving after the attack without needing external advice or counsel.

Legislative Changes Post-Tragedy

Swift Action on Gun Control

• Highlights how witnessing victims’ injuries motivated rapid reform of New Zealand's gun laws within ten days post-shooting.

• Explains that public sentiment supported banning military-style semi-autos after realizing these weapons were legally obtained by the shooter.

Managing Public Health During COVID-19

Transparency and Decision-Making

• Reflecting on early pandemic decisions when cases were low but understanding potential future impacts led to decisive actions like border closures.

• Acknowledges that few decisions directly link to life or death outcomes like those made during a pandemic; transparency was key throughout this process.

The Weight of Leadership Decisions

Balancing Popularity with Morality

• Discusses grappling with criticism while making difficult decisions aimed at saving lives rather than seeking popularity.

• Recognizes public fatigue over repeated lockdown measures due to new variants but maintains focus on health outcomes over political pressures.

Reflections on Leadership and Personal Moments

The Impact of Personal Connections in Leadership

• A moment with a prime minister highlighted the significance of personal connections, as he spoke softly about a woman being able to afford new shoes, demonstrating that even leaders can find meaning in individual stories.

• The discussion shifts to Ernest Shackleton, an Antarctic explorer whose leadership during crises is admired; his focus was on saving his men despite facing failure.

Lessons from Shackleton's Leadership

• Shackleton is presented as a political role model due to his humility and commitment to his team, emphasizing that true leadership involves prioritizing others' well-being over personal success.

• A quote from Shackleton, "optimism is true moral courage," resonates deeply; it reframes optimism as a courageous choice rather than naivety.

The Decision to Step Down: A Personal Journey

Announcing Resignation

• Reflecting on the shock of announcing her resignation, she expresses the weight of knowing when it's time to step down from leadership roles.

• She acknowledges the human aspect of politicians and how they must recognize their limits; admitting one no longer has "enough in the tank" is crucial for responsible leadership.

Factors Influencing Her Decision

• The decision wasn't triggered by any single event but rather a culmination of various factors leading her to question her effectiveness as a leader.

• She emphasizes self-awareness in recognizing when one may not be fit for continued leadership, contrasting this with others who cling to power out of fear or responsibility.

Navigating Political Pressures and Responsibilities

Balancing Responsibility and Self-Awareness

• Discusses the pressure politicians face regarding public expectations and responsibilities; feeling accountable can complicate decisions about stepping down.

• She felt an acute sense of responsibility towards those relying on her but ultimately recognized that staying would be irresponsible if she lacked necessary reserves for crisis management.

Preparing for Transition

• Once she decided to resign, preparing how to communicate this became essential; writing about her decision helped clarify her thoughts.

Life After Politics: Embracing Normalcy

Adjusting Post-Public Life

• Transitioning from high-pressure politics back into normal life involved adjusting daily routines while maintaining some semblance of normalcy amidst newfound freedom.

Humanizing Leadership Through Storytelling

• Capturing moments through documentary filmmaking aimed at humanizing leadership during significant times reflects an effort to connect more personally with people.

Rehumanizing Discourse in Society

Addressing Hyperpartisanship

• Advocates for rehumanizing interactions amid hyperpartisanship; respectful debate is essential for addressing global issues like climate change and conflict resolution.

Understanding Radicalization

• Explores how binary thinking contributes to radicalization and violence; dehumanization leads individuals toward harmful actions against others.

Fellowship for Empathetic Leadership: A New Initiative

Founding Field

• After leaving office, she founded Fellowship for Empathetic Leadership (Field), aiming to support leaders who prioritize empathy within politics through networking opportunities.

Defining New Forms of Power

• Writing her manuscript provided clarity on what different forms of power look like; it emphasized doing one's best despite challenges faced along the way.