Lessons in Leading Through Crisis From Jacinda Ardern - HBR IdeaCast Recap

Podcast: HBR IdeaCast

Published: 2025-06-10

Duration: 29 min

Summary

In this episode, Jacinda Ardern shares her experiences leading New Zealand through several crises, emphasizing the importance of empathetic leadership, informed decision-making, and effective communication during turbulent times.

What Happened

Hosts Alison Beard and Adi Ignatius introduce Jacinda Ardern, the former Prime Minister of New Zealand, highlighting her tenure from 2017 to 2023, during which she navigated multiple crises including a disease outbreak, a terrorist attack, natural disasters, and the COVID-19 pandemic. They discuss the relevance of Ardern's leadership lessons in today’s complex and uncertain geopolitical landscape.

Ardern reflects on how her early crisis experiences, especially a biosecurity incursion, shaped her approach to decision-making during the pandemic. She emphasizes the importance of gathering experts and creating a consensus, noting that sharing the decision-making process with the public helped garner support for her choices. She reveals that her self-doubt actually drove her to be well-prepared, ensuring she understood the complexities of each situation before making decisions.

Key Insights

• Empathetic leadership fosters public trust and support during crises.
• Effective decision-making involves gathering expert opinions and sharing the rationale behind choices.
• Self-doubt can lead to thorough preparation and confident decision-making.
• Navigating criticism requires discernment between constructive feedback and personal attacks.

Key Questions Answered

What were Jacinda Ardern's key strategies for handling crises?

Ardern emphasized the importance of gathering expertise and creating consensus during crises. She shared her experiences during a biosecurity incursion in New Zealand, where she brought together affected communities and expert advisory groups to inform decision-making. This collaborative approach laid the groundwork for her handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, where she sought to identify unique paths that could lead to effective solutions.

How did Jacinda Ardern overcome imposter syndrome in her leadership role?

Ardern discussed how her self-doubt and feelings of imposter syndrome actually drove her to be exceptionally prepared. She would immerse herself in research and consult with experts before making any significant decisions. This preparation allowed her to feel confident in her choices, turning her self-doubt into a strength rather than a hindrance.

What role does empathy play in Jacinda Ardern's leadership style?

Ardern highlighted that being thin-skinned and feeling emotions is not a weakness in leadership but an asset. She argued that empathy enables leaders to connect with the public and respond compassionately during crises. By allowing herself to feel and acknowledge criticism, she was able to filter constructive feedback from personal attacks and use it to improve her leadership.

How did Jacinda Ardern mobilize support for gun control legislation after the Christchurch shooting?

Following the tragic Christchurch shooting, Ardern credited the New Zealand public's desire for change as a key factor in swiftly passing gun control legislation. The overwhelming public sentiment created an environment where action was not just necessary but demanded, allowing her government to act decisively and effectively within 27 days.

What insights did Jacinda Ardern provide about decision-making in chaotic environments?

Ardern noted that in chaotic environments, decision-making can be particularly challenging due to the lack of clear information. She advocated for a methodical approach: thoroughly understanding the problem, consulting with experts, and being transparent about the decision-making process. This transparency helped the public understand the rationale behind her decisions, fostering trust and support.