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Jacinda Ardern: 8 quotes that prove her #inclusiveleadership

Jacinda Ardern. Photo credit: Wikimedia/ Governor-General of New Zealand|Jacinda Ardern quote: If I could distil it down into one concept that we are pursuing in New Zealand it is simple and it is this: Kindness. Photo credit: Wikimedia/ Newzild|
Suzanne Locke 19 January 2023
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Jacinda Ardern, the straight-talking prime minister of New Zealand, has announced she is to quit, citing burnout.
After six “challenging” years, she said she no longer “has enough in the tank”.
“I’m leaving, because with such a privileged role comes responsibility – the responsibility to know when you are the right person to lead and also when you are not,” she said.

Ardern suffering burnout

“I know what this job takes. And I know that I no longer have enough in the tank to do it justice. It’s that simple.”
Ms Ardern, 42, became the world’s youngest woman head of government when she was elected prime minister at 37 in 2017.
The next year she became the world’s second elected leader to give birth while in office, after Pakistan’s Benazir Bhutto in 1990.
Ms Ardern has been forthright with both opinions and empathy, and has been a model of inclusive leadership. Here are eight quotes that celebrate her style.
[Related: 8 ways to be inclusive, digitally | How men can bring allyship to work | Start your DEI journey with a pulse check]
It takes courage and strength to be empathetic and I’m very proudly an empathetic and compassionate leader.
“It takes courage and strength to be empathetic and I’m very proudly an empathetic and compassionate leader.” – Jacinda Ardern. Photo credit: Wikimedia, Nevada Halbert
Leadership is not about necessarily being the loudest in the room, but instead being the bridge, or the thing that is missing in the discussion, and trying to build a consensus from there
“Leadership is not about necessarily being the loudest in the room, but instead being the bridge, or the thing that is missing in the discussion, and trying to build a consensus from there.” Jacinda Ardern. Photo credit: Wikimedia, Governor-General of New Zealand
I want to be a good leader, not a good lady leader. I don’t want to be known simply as the woman who gave birth.
“I want to be a good leader, not a good lady leader. I don’t want to be known simply as the woman who gave birth.” Jacinda Ardern. Photo credit: Wikimedia Labour Party
You can carve your own path, be your own kind of leader. We do need to create a new generation of leadership
“You can carve your own path, be your own kind of leader. We do need to create a new generation of leadership.” Jacinda Ardern. Photo credit: Wikimedia/ Ulysse Bellier
I refuse to believe that you cannot be both compassionate and strong
“I refuse to believe that you cannot be both compassionate and strong.” Jacinda Ardern. Photo credit: Wikimedia/ Christchurch City Council Newsline/Kirk Hargreaves
You can’t ask other people to believe you and vote for you if you don’t back yourself
“You can’t ask other people to believe you and vote for you if you don’t back yourself.” Jacinda Ardern. Photo credit: Wikimedia, New Zealand Government, Office of the Governor-General
I’m constantly anxious about making mistakes
“I’m constantly anxious about making mistakes.” Jacinda Ardern. Photo credit: Wikimedia/ Ulysse Bellier
If I could distil it down into one concept that we are pursuing in New Zealand it is simple and it is this: Kindness.
“If I could distil it down into one concept that we are pursuing in New Zealand it is simple and it is this: Kindness.” Jacinda Ardern. Photo credit: Wikimedia/ Newzild
Aurora50’s vision is to achieve gender balance in the workplace, through its programmes: Table Talks, whole-company candid conversations on diversity and inclusion; AIM, the accelerator for internal management; Gateway for the senior woman executive looking for her first board role; and Pathway20, to help women leaders win independent board seats.

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