Development Academy analysed more than 100 hours of footage from press conferences, assemblies, political events and other public appearances from the last 12 months and ranked heads of state according to their communication and presentation skills.
Ardern took out the top spot in the list of 10 leaders, due to her “empathetic” leadership style.
“She challenges the common perception that emotional communication shows weakness, instead choosing to approach the public with a softer touch,” the Development Academy wrote.
“She has a measured and authoritative sincerity about her – she is kind and compassionate, without shying away from tough issues.”
Coming in second was Germany’s Angela Merkel, for her “aura of confidence and experience”, followed by India’s Narendra Modi, who “captivates his audience and varies his tone of voice perfectly to keep them interested”.
Australian prime minister Scott Morrison also made the list, coming in at number 10, thanks to being “open, emotional and even vulnerable during his addresses to the Australian people” during the coronavirus pandemic.
Development Academy also identified two leaders “whose presentation style needs some improvement” – UK prime minister Boris Johnson and US president Donald Trump.
The experts said Johnson has a “tendency to forgo pauses in favour of muttering or waffling, and his use of odd or obscure references often left people confused about his message”.
Meanwhile, they said Trump “reacts to questions before he has given himself time to think and offer appropriate answers”.
“Unlike Boris Johnson, who has made noticeable improvements since becoming prime minister, Mr Trump has done little to address the flaws in his style of public speaking,” the experts said.
The full list of the world’s most eloquent leaders:
- Jacinda Ardern, New Zealand
- Angela Merkel, Germany
- Narendra Modi, India
- Justin Trudeau, Canada
- Nicola Sturgeon, Scotland
- Mette Frederikson, Denmark
- Emmanuel Macron, France
- Erna Solberg, Norway
- Giuseppe Conte, Italy
- Scott Morrison, Australia
