Written by Aulina Pandey
Jacinda Ardern’s iconic leadership style in times of crises has been the most talked about political approach in the recent times. Many people have suggested that Ardern’s transformative government has been a masterclass to world leaders on how to effectively administer crises leadership and navigate through uncertain times. During the pandemic, while the rest of the world was grim with despair, Ardern maintained a direct line of communication and radiated positivity to all of New Zealand through her personal social media accounts as well as the official media. Her ability to ensure effective planning and public coordination skills is praised widely and is setting new standards for political leaders worldwide.
Jacinda Ardern’s journey began as a mere researcher to a Member of Parliament of the New Zealand Labor Party and led to her ultimately heading the party as the youngest Prime Minister of New Zealand in 2017 at the age of 37. Predictably, Ardern has been attacked for breaking barriers as a woman and being “too feminine” in her leadership methods. Criticisms have ensued about her being pregnant in office and her ability to handle the work and a family life. However, she has dismissed such sexist controversies during her term in office and continues to stride forward in terms of her political career and ensuring overall social welfare. By her second term of Presidency in 2020, Ardern has become a feminist icon and an inspiration to all. She has embraced her role as a leader with vigor and tactical intelligence
Her leadership style is simple and effective. In world full of chaos and judgement, Jacinda Ardern holds empathy, kindness and compassion as important facets to issues such as racism and Islamophobia and continues to stress on “a gesture of tolerance”. In 2019, her response to the Chirstchurch terrorist attack showed her ardent belief in leading by example and change. Not only did she openly condemn the violent attack and extended her support to Muslim leaders and communities across the world, but she also showed her support through symbolic gestures. For instance, the traditional Muslim attire she wore to show support or greeting the Parliament with the Arabic greeting of “As salaam alaikum.” Most importantly, she focused on the root cause of the issue by addressing the responsibility of social media companies to ensure that such platforms do not become a way to spread communal hatred and violence. She also immediately entered into agreement with the opposition party banned the use of assault rifles and military-style semi-automatics across New Zealand. Her prompt response to traumatic situations within the country was highly praised across the world. Ardern’s behavior towards the victims and the perpetrators and her subsequent political moves showcases her admirable qualities as an empathetic leader. She demonstrated a deep understanding of the underlying issue of terrorism and wider social implications that it could cause and addressed them tactfully.
Ardern’s approach to the pandemic was especially unique - from putting the country under strict lockdown at the initial stages to maintaining a smooth flow of communication with the public with updates from healthcare experts. Her quick and effective response to the pandemic has increased her popularity among New Zealanders and the rest of the world. Ardern’s has expressed genuine concern about global issues such as climate change and environmental degradation. Recently, she initiated a complete ban on plastic bags and introduced climate change activism and eco-anxiety in school curriculums. She has addressed issues that are still being debated widely across the world such as period poverty and has also decided to provide free sanitary products in all schools. Under the pretext of creating a diverse political cabinet she also appointed the first woman and openly gay Maori foreign minister, Nanaina Mahuta recently.
While some people believe that there has been an unusual hype about Jacinda Ardern’s approach to leadership and transformative governance, it would be a mistake to assume that any leadership style is perfect. Her government has been criticized for not addressing the needs of the working people in New Zealand and questioned about her comment on the failure of neoliberalism. While issues such as income inequality and rising tax burdens on the working class remains, Ardern’s government hardly seems like the type to push these issues under the rug. Given that countries across the world are still grappling with the loss of economic and strategic opportunities due to the pandemic, Ardern’s government has attained an impressive feat by becoming the first country to be declared coronavirus free. The story of Jacinda Ardern’s political success and solution-centric governance is unique and cannot be missed while deliberating the issues of women’s rights, climate change and effective leadership styles.
The opinions expressed and suggestions made in the article belong solely to the author themselves. Diplomania and O.P. Jindal Global University do not endorse the same.
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