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A thought about political pathology. Most understand now the contagion of Trump’s particular personality. But this issue of mental fitness for governance is relevant even in a country like #NZ. Younger Kiwis can be more emotionally intelligent than previous generations.
2. And that matters these days, more than ever. Because effective leadership demands high levels of emotional intelligence. But these days we are ALL super-sensitive to emotional pathology in the people who affect our lives. We can smell narcissism a mile off.
3. My theory is that Jacinda Ardern is just a very grounded person, with a stable, largely trauma-free background, combined with very good skills for her job. This is why #NZ feels confidence in her. It’s not an act - you can’t fake these things.
4. During my work reporting across the world, I kept coming across examples of what you might call ‘leadership trauma’. Countries brutalised into dysfunctionality by brutal leaders. Many Iraqis yearned for healing after Saddam. Instead they got George W Bush, & Shock & Awe.
5. A Turkish friend of mine theorised that Erdogan was so enduringly popular because he reminded many Turks of their own ‘tough fathers’... Don’t get me started on the weird situation in the UK right now....
6. But to get back to #NZ.. Is the reason so many in the Nat Party are sounding ‘off’, is because - while many of them are highly-skilled - they no longer have the emotional/cultural skill-set that works in the here & now? So they self-destruct. From MAGA hat... to meltdown.
