Jacinda Ardern, an Exceptional Leader

We may never see her like again.

Today (19th of Jan 2023) brings the shock announcement that Jacinda Ardern, New Zealand’s Prime Minister, has resigned. This should be a day of sadness for most people; though I dare say her detractors and haters will be rejoicing. She is stepping down, not from some scandal, not pushed out by political infighting, not even to pursue a more lucrative job elsewhere but simply because she ‘no longer had enough in the tank’ to do the job. She is leaving to spend more time with her family and I suspect to recover from burnout.

So why do I call her an exceptional leader?

She showed the world how a leader should be; in her own words “kind, but strong, empathetic but decisive, optimistic but focused”. No rants about building walls or keeping out migrants, no lies about who did what or where the money goes, no deception over spending. There was an honesty that shone throughout her leadership. A desire to do the right thing for New Zealand (not just for rich donors and cronies). A belief that helping people was more important than making profits for the few under the guise of the economy. She was a leader that people could look up to and rely on to do the right…