Jacinda Ardern: A Prime Minister with Difference

Jacinda Ardern

The best leaders have a high consideration factor. They really care about their people.

                                                                                                                     … Brian Tracy

21st Century has produced lot of political leaders all over the world. We have Trump from America, Erdogan from Turkey, Modi from India, Imran Khan from Pakistan, Trudeau from Canada, Boris Johnson from England, Jair Bolsonaro from Brazil and Jacinda Arder from Newzeland. All these leaders have their own distinctive personalities and behavioral idiosyncrasies. Where Trump is infamous for his illogical and preposterous acts and lackluster speeches, Erdogan represents a leadership of stout and radical nature. Where Modi is infamous for his ill- treatment of minorities, Imran Khan is taken as a sane, sympathetic, and amicable leader. Where Trudeau is famous for his lit af nature and humane stance, Jacinda stands for her all-encompassing, democratic, inclusive and loving personality.  Where Johnson is a controversial figure in British journalism and politics, Jair Bolsonaro is famous for his strategic military moves and tactics.

Jacinda has a personality to reckon with. Being a woman, she has exhibited love and sympathy for every one without any consideration for sex, caste, and religion. Jacinda Kate Laurell Ardern was born on 26 July in 1980. She is the leader of the New Zealand Labour Party. Currently she is serving as the 40th Prime Minister of New Zealand. Jacinda, despite being a woman, has shown a lot of acumen in tackling the issues of her country. She has carved a niche in the hearts of the people all over the world while handling Christchurch mass shooting of Muslims in Al Noor Mosque on 15 of March 2019.The said incident was a litmus test for her integrity, inclusive leadership, and love for other religious people. She empathized with the families of dead and injured. In order to express her pain and mourning, she wore black scarf and clothes. This humane act on her part earned her a lot of appreciation and kudos. She has been hailed for her composure and compassion in the wake of this tragic incident. In an interview she said “We represent diversity, kindness, compassion. A home for those who share our values. Refuge for those who need it. And those values will not and cannot be shaken by this attack” .The most fascinating aspects of her personality are her down to earth behavior and her happy-go-lucky nature. Through these aspects, she instills confidence, optimism, and positivity in her people.

Leaders are meant to stand by their subjects at the time of any tragedy and calamity. Jacinda is one such leader who has set a precedent in this regard. Whether it is the mass shooting incident of Muslims or the recent earthquake incident, or the ongoing Corono pandemic, Jacinda has shown her firm stand and humane stance by lending a sympathetic shoulder to the victims of these two tragic incidents. Unlike the leaders of other countries, Jacinda has always shown her inclusive and democratic leadership qualities. She has gained quite a reputation for keeping her cool in crisis like situation. She called a recent earthquake in her country “a decent shake.”  She was in a live interview on TV while the quake occurred.

Women leaders are usually taken as infirm and wavering. Jacinda has deconstructed this concocted myth by leading from the front at the time of every crisis. The ongoing pandemic which has literally put the entire world in a sorry state of affairs is going to be the greatest test for the global leaders. Jacinda has shown her own unique style in tackling this pandemic. She stands with her people in this pandemic. Writing in The Atlantic, Uri Friedman says, “New Zealand’s Prime Minister may be the most effective leader on the planet. “Her optimism, compassion, composure, human nature, and her unbiased attitude are surely going to widen her political prospects. Leaders like her are the pride of their nation. The world needs leaders like her. Long live Jacinda!

PS: A leader is one who knows the way, goes the way, and shows the way. John Maxwell

Bilal Ahmad Dar is a Research Scholar at the Department of English, AMU. He has M.Phil. in English Literature and Post-Graduation Diploma in Linguistics from AMU. In addition to this he has qualified UGC NET and JKSET in English Literature. He can be mailed at: [email protected]


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