Kindness As Power: Jacinda Ardern On What All Leaders Must Do
Only the second nation leader in world history to have a
baby while in office, former Prime Minister of New Zealand, Jacinda Ardern, dedicates her new book to “the criers, worriers and huggers.” And she is not talking about newborns.
The 44-year-old who became the 40th prime minister of a country in 2017 that has only seen three women in that position, was recently on stage for the Chicago Humanities Festival discussing her memoir, A Different Kind of Power.
Her book deals with the intimacies of leading a country and maintaining authenticity as well as the struggles of expressing her emotions and the challenges of motherhood, work and mission combined. This is a
conundrum facing all leaders who identify as women and experience the needs of work, home and mission colliding.
The Power To Motivate Through Values-Driven Leadership
By Carla Shade
As a healthcare leader, my central goals include increasing inclusion and fighting for women. My leadership style is to bring color and diversity into the workplace to build amazing teams of people who each bring their own experiences, insights and perspectives to the table and represent the communities we serve.
With that diversity comes the need to adapt the way I interact with team members every day to fit their different personality types, which connects to one of our organization’s core values: integrity – inspiring trust through personal leadership.
“There is no empathy without action.”—Jacinda Ardern As we mourn the brutal murders of Minnesota State Speaker of the House Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, let us commit ourselves to act in their honor, to stay engaged in civic life, and to use our power to bring about a more empathic and less violent culture.
How To Power Up This Week:
Empathize. Be kind, generous and a hearty listener to all you encounter in order to be a better leader.
🎟️ Registration Now Open: Power Up Conference & Concert
August 25-26, 2025 | Washington, D.C. 🎟️
This world needs YOU to lead with courage. Ready? One power-packed day with visionary leaders, advocates, and industry icons who'll ignite the fire inside you.
Registration + early bird pricing dropped. But hurry- this low price is good only till June 30. Don't be the one wishing you'd grabbed your spot. Join to experience:
The Energy of Well-being™: Start your day centered and energized
Connect with other ambitious women (and men who support women leaders)
Topics ranging from what you should know about AI and your career, and coping with anxiety in today’s world, to how young
leaders are shaping a better future.
SHEPosium: Curated women’s health, wellness (including financial), and lifestyle exhibition
9 Power Tool Champions awards honoring extraordinary changemakers, along with our traditional leading man and woman awards
Joyful Dance Party Concert with
BETTY
And more!
🏨 Stay at Hotel Zena –Using this link or use code TAKE THE LEAD25 until Friday, August 8, 2025.
Are you ready to step into the leader you're meant to be?
See you in D.C. 💪
Eye-Opener of The Week:
Can Money Buy Happiness?
You decide. In an additional twist on the 2025 World Happiness Report, a new studyby an online gaming company analyzed over 45 countries with the highest GDP in the world to see if money can buy happiness, by measuring quality of life. Finland is tops in the World Happiness list, but ranks 6 for quality of life with a $52K per capita GDP. The U.S. is No. 24 in World Happiness, with a $77K per capita, and ranks No. 8 on quality of life and economic freedom.
Take The Lead prepares, develops, inspires, and propels all women of all diversities and intersectionalities to take their fair and equal share of leadership positions across all sectors by 2025. Learn more at www.taketheleadwomen.com.
