Intelligence Squared The Courage to Lead, with Sanna Marin, Former Prime Minister of Finland (Part Two)
Dec 7, 2025
Sanna Marin, the groundbreaking former Prime Minister of Finland, shares her journey as a young leader navigating immense challenges like the COVID-19 pandemic and NATO accession. She recounts her experiences with media scrutiny, discussing the double standards faced by women politicians. Marin emphasizes the importance of collective action in tackling global issues and encourages young changemakers to embrace opportunities despite self-doubt. With a focus on the human side of politics, she advocates for increased representation of women in leadership roles to foster a more inclusive society.
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Private Scandals Distracted Governance
- Sanna Marin recounts several personal "moralistic" scandals like the blazer, phone and dancing incidents that dominated media attention.
- She describes being forced to take a drug test and the frustration of private life distractions consuming government work time.
Double Standards Hurt Democratic Participation
- Marin highlights a persistent double standard: male politicians aren't policed for normal social behavior the way women are.
- She argues politicians should be allowed to be whole people with families, friends and free time.
Lead Before You Feel Ready
- Do take leadership opportunities even when you feel unready because you'll learn the most in those moments.
- Accept imperfection, allow failure, then recover and continue making decisions with mercy for yourself.
