Jacinda Ardern turns her own imposter syndrome into self‑help wisdom for young readers |
If we do the maths, the target readership for this teen adaptation of Jacinda Ardern’s bestselling memoir A Different Kind of Power were at primary school when she was prime minister.
Those were the days when Ardern’s “stardust” – as her particular brand of political magic was described – saw her reach extraordinary heights of popularity, both at home and abroad.
But, as we know from the adult edition of her memoir, Ardern had always struggled with the self-confidence and self-belief we normally associate with effective leadership.
Review: What If You Could – Jacinda Ardern (Penguin)
Facing down this imposter syndrome informs the new book much more than the various events she had to contend with during her time in office. Dedicated to “the leaders of tomorrow – who just don’t know it yet”, it is more accessible and immediate, with much less political detail.
Ardern always wanted her original memoir to speak to her 14-year-old self, dedicating it to “the criers, worriers and huggers”. What If You Could expands on that, spinning her life experiences and challenges into a self-affirming guide to following dreams, being strong and ultimately creating a different kind of power.
No celebration of impossible standards
Deftly adapted by New York-based writer Ruby Shamir, the book spends no time dwelling on COVID. Ardern’s time working for Tony Blair in London is gone. Leaving the Mormon church is summarised in one sentence. But both books begin with pivotal bathroom moments.
In A Different Kind of Power, Ardern is........