Identify a famous woman leader and summarize the main challenges she faced in positions of leadership.
Explain how she overcame these challenges.
Identify 2–4 best practices used by this leader. Support your claims with relevant examples.
Discuss how you might implement these best practices in your leadership roles.
Jacinda Ardern, the former Prime Minister of New Zealand, is a renowned woman leader who faced significant challenges while in office, particularly due to her empathetic and progressive leadership style in a world accustomed to more traditional, aggressive political figures.
One of the primary challenges Ardern faced was a rapid and often brutal succession of national crises. Shortly after becoming Prime Minister, she was confronted with the 2019 Christchurch mosque shootings, a horrific act of domestic terrorism. This was followed by the Whakaari/White Island volcanic eruption, and then the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic. These crises tested her ability to lead under immense pressure and demanded a constant, decisive response.
Beyond the crises, Ardern faced political and social polarization. While internationally praised for her compassionate approach, she was also subjected to intense scrutiny and criticism at home, including a wave of misinformation, death threats, and online abuse. Her focus on social policies, such as poverty reduction and climate action, also faced opposition, particularly as her government struggled to make headway on the housing crisis and rising costs of living.
Ardern overcame these challenges by consistently leaning into her core values of empathy and kindness, which became her signature leadership style. In response to the Christchurch terror attack, for example, she immediately wore a hijab to show solidarity with the Muslim community, hugged survivors, and swiftly enacted gun law reform. This authentic display of compassion helped to unite a grieving nation and provided a stark contrast to the divisive rhetoric often seen in global politics.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, she utilized clear and transparent communication to guide the country through lockdowns. Instead of formal, rigid press conferences, she used casual Facebook Live sessions from her home to answer citizen questions and provide updates, which built trust and a sense of shared purpose. She was able to effectively communicate the "why" behind her government's decisions, helping to secure public buy-in for strict measures like border closures and lockdowns.
Ardern's leadership provides several key best practices:
Empathy and Humanity: She demonstrated that a leader can be both compassionate and strong. Her visit to the Christchurch survivors and her wearing of a hijab showed a powerful, human connection that went beyond traditional political protocol. This practice builds trust and a collective sense of purpose, especially during times of crisis.
Decisive, Values-Based Action: Instead of waiting for a consensus, she took swift, bold action based on her values. The immediate ban on military-style semi-automatic weapons after the Christchurch shooting is a prime example. This decisiveness, driven by a clear moral compass, sent a powerful message and prevented further tragedy.
Authentic and Transparent Communication: Ardern's use of regular, informal Facebook Live sessions allowed her to connect directly with the public. She spoke plainly, with a sense of vulnerability, which helped to demystify government decisions and foster public trust. She showed that leaders don't have to have all the answers but can be honest about challenges and work to find solutions.
In my own leadership roles, I could implement these best practices by:
Practicing empathetic listening: Instead of jumping to solutions, I would make a conscious effort to understand the feelings and perspectives of my team members. For example, if a project faces a setback, I'd first acknowledge the team's frustration and stress before discussing next steps. This validates their experience and shows that I care about them as people, not just as workers.