mindset.

Credit: Kirstin Ferguson (1973-)

Summary:

paul is inspired by the research based insights shared by Kirsten Ferguson in her 2023 publication, Head & Heart: The Art of Modern Leadership.

Kirstin asserts that effective modern leaders create high trust, high performance, and adaptive organisations via a blend of ‘head’ and ‘heart’ leadership qualities. Modern leaders consciously develop and balance the following leadership attributes:

Head attributes:

• Curiosity — asking good questions and being open-minded.
• Wisdom — applying experience and sound judgment.
• Perspective — seeing the bigger picture, long-term consequences.
• Capability — having the skills and discipline to deliver.

Heart attributes:

• Courage — doing what’s right, especially when it’s hard.
• Empathy — listening deeply, understanding others’ perspectives.
• Humility — acknowledging you don’t have all the answers.
• Self-awareness — knowing your impact on others and managing your ego.

Concept detail:

Kirstin argues that the best leaders are both thinkers and kind souls. The art of modern leadership therefore is balancing being effective and human at the same time. This leadership approach is supported by the following insights:

• Leadership is not a title — it’s a series of daily choices.
• Ask more questions than you give answers. Curiosity fuels innovation.
• Balance data with instinct. Wise leaders use information but trust judgment too.
• Share your failures. Humility builds credibility and psychological safety.
• Listen to understand, not to reply. Empathy is at the core of trust.
• Speak up when it counts. Courageous leadership means acting even when it’s risky.
• Stay self-aware. Pay attention to how your words and actions land on others.
• Keep learning. Leadership capability is built by continuous curiosity.
• Seek diverse perspectives. Broaden your view before making decisions.
• Check your balance. Notice if you’re leaning too heavily on ‘head’ (analysis) or ‘heart’ (emotion) and adjust.

Real world application:

Jacinda Ardern’s COVID-19 Leadership Case Study

In March 2020, New Zealand faced the urgent threat of COVID-19, with an under-prepared health system and an island nation vulnerable to supply chain disruptions. Prime Minster Ardern blended both head (strategy, evidence, timely decisions) with heart (kindness, transparency, courage and humility). Specifically, Ardern practice modern leadership that was human-centred, balanced, and real.

Ardern’s ‘Head’ Leadership Attributes

• Curiosity:
  Ardern constantly asked for diverse expert advice — not just from health officials but also economists, community leaders and scientists. She publicly explained that her cabinet was guided by evidence and global lessons.
• Wisdom:
  She drew on advice from multiple perspectives and took calculated risks — such as closing borders early, even before there were large outbreaks, which went against some political and economic advice.
• Perspective:
  She communicated not just daily case numbers but also the broader picture — what success looked like long term, what sacrifice was needed now for future benefit.
• Capability:
  She translated expert advice into clear, timely decisions. The ‘go hard, go early’ lockdown strategy was decisive and clear, backed by a capable public service response.

Ardern’s ‘Heart’ Leadership Attributes

• Empathy:
  Her public addresses were famous for human warmth. She acknowledged fears and stress, and spoke to children directly in her daily briefings. She frequently said, “Be kind.”
• Courage:
  Closing borders early and imposing strict lockdowns came with political and economic risks. She faced criticism from businesses but stayed the course based on expert advice.
• Humility:
  She admitted openly when she didn’t have all the answers. She said, “I won’t always get it right,” which helped build trust.
• Self-awareness:
  She used simple, clear language — no jargon — and avoided moralising. She was aware of how her tone, words and actions would land with different communities.

The result was New Zealand had among the world’s lowest COVID-19 mortality rates in the first phase of the pandemic;  public trust in government surged; and the the country was recognised globally for balancing safety, freedom and economic recovery.