An Uncomfortable Truth for Our Leaders: There’s a Limit to How ‘Human’ We Want You to BePeople want leaders who are kind and relatable. They like leaders who show feelings, care about others, and face normal problems like anyone else. But at the same time, people don’t want leaders to make mistakes. They want leaders to do everything perfectly. This is shown in a new documentary about Jacinda Ardern, the former Prime Minister of New Zealand. Her time as leader shows the hard balance between being human and being responsible in serious situations.
Jacinda Ardern and Her Campaign for Political Humanity
The documentary shows very personal parts of Ardern’s life, filmed mostly by her husband. We see her tired, in pajamas, breastfeeding, and doing her job while also taking care of her child. These private moments were shown to the public to show that politicians are human. In her book A Different Kind of Power, Ardern says people should accept that leaders are not perfect. They have normal lives and problems and should not be judged too harshly.
Showing personal life alongside public life is a new way for politicians to communicate. It can help people trust leaders more because it shows they are ordinary. This approach can also reduce the “us versus them” feeling that makes some people dislike leaders.
The Tension Between Relatability and Responsibility
Trying to make leaders seem human has risks. If people do not allow leaders to be human, they expect them to be perfect. This means only a few people can be leaders because most cannot always act perfectly.
But showing weakness can also be used to hide mistakes. If a leader seems kind or relatable, people might not criticize them as much. The article says, “It’s hard to be angry with someone you have watched rocking a Moses basket.” Being relatable is good, but it raises a hard question: when should leaders stop being relatable and start being accountable for their decisions?
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Can “Being Human” Justify Political Mistakes?
It is hard to know how much a leader can make mistakes and still be excused because they are human. Can leaders make errors during big crises just because they are human? People might feel sympathy, but it should not excuse bad decisions or incompetence.
The Ardern documentary shows her personal side, but some people in New Zealand say it does not look closely at her political decisions. This shows how hard it is to judge a leader. People need to see the difference between normal human struggles and real political mistakes. Leaders should be understood as humans, but they still need to be fully accountable.
Ardern’s Pandemic Legacy and Social Costs
During COVID-19, Ardern’s leadership used the idea of “be strong and be kind.” Her actions helped New Zealand control the virus early. Closing borders early gave time for vaccines.
But these actions also caused problems. Families were separated, foreign students were stuck away from home, and many people felt stressed. Mandatory vaccines caused some people to feel angry and distrust the government. Her kind approach helped public health but also caused social problems. This shows that leaders must balance care for people with the serious effects of their decisions.
Conclusion
A Plea for Empathy, but Not Excuse
The main point is clear: leaders should be allowed to be human. They should show feelings and struggles. But being human does not mean they can make mistakes without consequence. Jacinda Ardern shows that human leaders can help make politics kinder. But leaders still need to be accountable. We should accept their humanity but still expect them to do their job well.
Disclaimer
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