Burnout? . . . Me? Ardern ‘could have kept going’ as PM
Calls for more ‘empathy’, ‘kindness’ in leadership during US TV spot
Dame Jacinda Ardern has revealed she didn’t resign because of burnout and says she could have kept going.
The former PM went on US talk show Good Morning America (GMA ) to reflect on her career and talk about her new life outside politics.
She was in New York to speak during the Earthshot Innovation Summit — Prince William’s environmental charity.
Ardern described her life as “very different” almost nine months after her resignation.
“I was overwhelmed that beyond New Zealand shores it triggered a discussion about how we make these decisions, and I’ve had particularly a few women say to me thank you for showing me that’s it’s okay to say ‘I’m tired’ or ‘I don’t have enough in the tank anymore to do a job well’.”
Show host Robin Roberts asked Ardern if she characterised her resignation as a result of burnout, which she denied. “I could have kept going but for me having been through a period where we did experience a lot of crises in New Zealand, it was whether or not I had enough to do the job well.
“The answer for me personally was no, it was time for someone else. So a bit different than burnout,” Ardern said.
She hoped her run as prime minister would inspire other future “reluctant leaders” and those “who may think they might not have the right character traits, or they see themselves as too sensitive or not tough enough”.
Ardern said they are necessary traits for leaders.
“We need more empathy in leadership we need more kindness in leadership.”
On what life is like after politics, she described it as “very different” and that she was enjoying spending more time with her family.
Ardern said she wanted to be present for her daughter Neve, who turned 5 this year and started school.
“But I also still want to be useful and so, at the moment, I’m very lucky to be in Boston, I’m at Harvard.”
In April, Ardern revealed her new Harvard University post specialising in technology governance, alongside her previously announced jobs working as a special envoy to the Christchurch Call and joining the Earthshot board.
“I’ve got access to fantastic faculty but importantly inspirational students and also working on some issues around how we safely ensure that online is a safe environment.”
Ardern said the March 15 mosque attack being live-streamed online was a first and she now works towards trying to rid the online world of extremism and staying on top of new, emerging technology.
Roberts told Ardern she had heard she was planning on writing a book, despite having previously signalled she didn’t want to.
Ardern said she didn’t want to necessarily write about her political experiences and she didn’t want to betray the confidence of her friends, so she’s writing a few stories about her current adventures.