A Slight Change of Plans How Jacinda Ardern Turned Self-Doubt into a Strength
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Jul 21, 2025 
Former Prime Minister of New Zealand, Jacinda Ardern, shares her journey from self-doubt to resilient leadership. She discusses the importance of empathy and kindness in political crises, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. Ardern reflects on balancing personal integrity with public expectation and the challenges of tackling significant responsibilities at a young age. Her insights emphasize how vulnerability can transform leadership styles, highlighting the power of compassion in governance.
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Kindness and Strength from Father
- Jacinda Ardern’s policeman father embodied kindness and strength simultaneously, deeply influencing her values.
- He engaged community warmly, even enduring playful dunking at a school fair in uniform to build trust.
Words as Policeman's Greatest Tool
- Jacinda's father used words as his greatest tool in difficult situations with gang members.
- She learned early that the world wasn’t black and white, inspired by her father’s empathy in his detective work.
Childhood Drive to Be Useful
- Jacinda was driven by a desire to be useful, shaped by her church's focus on service.
- Even as a child, missing a paper delivery felt like a moral failure to her.