Meeting the "accidental Prime Minister"

Today I got to meet the “accidental Prime Minister” Jacinda Ardern .?And I before anyone criticises me for being flippant this is what Jacinda called herself.???To receive a handwritten invitation to meet someone you admire so much is definitely a great start to the day. (Pictures of my new bestie to follow when the official photographer sends them)

My goal is to be inspired every day and today I was not disappointed.

Here are my top insights from this morning.

1.?????Jacinda Ardern is?“normal chick”?Emma Isaacs do you like the play on words with Business Chicks . When the photographer was taking my picture with Jacinda, she said “nice shoes”. Now that is my type of person. Someone who notices the details, is able to give a compliment, is kind and LOVES SHOES!?Jacinda also told us she manages her own social media including all the grammar and spelling errors. (Mmm, I am also guilty of this) Jacinda, if you do read this…. Feel free to comment!!!

LEARNING:???????We are all human and be real

?2.?????We all have imposter syndrome. Her “imposter” is a leprechaun who is going to jump out and tell everyone that she doesn’t know what she is doing.?I understand that.??Own it.?Imposter syndrome can make you better – it can make you work harder, ask questions, be curious, do research, listen to others, and take the time to think.?So don’t hide it, ignore it and be ashamed of it. Instead embrace your inner leprechaun and be curious.

LEARNING: We are all imposters in some way. Own it.

?3.?????She never would have become prime minister if she had the choice. Partly because of Point 2 “she wasn’t good enough” and partly because she saw how Helen Clark was treated and she never wanted to put herself in that position.?But she had no choice.?The Prime Minister resigned and as the Deputy she had to step up.?She actually did have a choice; she also could have resigned but she didn’t, and the world is a better place for it.?For those who doubt if they should take up that opportunity, or who think they are not good enough…. back yourself and have a go.

LEARNING:?Back yourself. You can do it.

?4.?????Be yourself. There was only 6 weeks between when Jacinda took up the role of leader of the opposition and the election, so she had no choice but to be herself and speak “her truth”. Interestingly, Jacinda said she is sure that if there had been more time there would have been many experts engaged to “train” her but because they only had 6 weeks she had to “wing it” as they say.??I believe that part of Jacinda’s appeal is that she is real, and even in a room with 1500 people – you can feel the “realness” of her.

LEARNING: Be yourself.

?5.?????As humans we are physiologically hardwired to look for risk and danger. In cave man days, it was a saber tooth tiger, today it is losing your job, a toxic co-worker or friend, or a troll on social media. This means that when we are faced with one of these situations, we focus on this issue so that we can mitigate the risk.?But the reality is that a flippant comment by an unhappy person or feedback from a cowardly troll is actually not really a risk.?Jacinda trained herself to look at the 99 positive points of feedback versus the 1 point of negativity.

LEARNING:?Focus on the majority not the small minority.

?6.?????The difficult topic of gender, discrimination and the very personal attacks women in the public eye seem to receive versus their male counterparts came up.?Whilst there are hateful, cruel, ignorant people, or perhaps they are just open, undiplomatic, rude people with very strong opinions, they are a minority. Referring to the Point 5 above, focus on the majority who are behind and beside you, not the minority.

LEARNING: Accept not everyone will like or agree with you. And that is OK. Their opinions do not need to define you.

?7.?????Leaders can have, do have, and can show emotion. As a leader she got angry, sad, felt overwhelmed, felt real joy and it is OK to share but then you have to have a plan. The best leaders know that their emotions that can impact decisions and behaviours, are aware when this could the case and understand when to step back and reflect. Go back to Point 1. Leaders, even prime ministers, are still human.

LEARNING:?Accept that leaders have emotions.

8.??????When dealing with complex issues and problems, find common ground. When you can find that, like the ripple effect, good decisions can be made.

LEARNING:?Take the time to understand the perspectives of others, align goals and then get curious about solutions.

?9.?????Understand the motivations, emotions and perspectives of yourself and others.?Why might they have this perspective? Why might they be scared? Why am I so worried about this? Why don’t others understand me?

LEARNING:?Be curious about what are the underlying emotions driving your response and behaviours

?10.??You can be humble and proud, brave, and scared, intelligent but at a loss, sad but optimistic, kind, and tough, one of the team and the boss.

LEARNING: There is not one way to lead.

?Thank you Jacinda for being real today, thank you Emma for bringing Jacinda to us and thank you to the table of amazing leaders, who also happen to be women, who joined Kerrie Ryan and myself at the ?Peeplcoach and Communicado table.?Jacinta McDonell , Kate Morris , Anna Baird . Amantha Imber , Abigail Forsyth and Tessa Court

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