In North America, the first question is usually: “What can you do for me?”
In the UAE, it’s more often: “Who are you? What are your values?”

That simple difference reshapes everything—hiring, compensation, execution, even how time itself is perceived.

👉 Relationships come before résumés.
👉 Compensation is negotiated differently (and turnover is built into the system).
👉 Time runs on a more elastic clock.
👉 Local presence and patience aren’t optional—they’re the ticket to credibility.

I’ve pulled my observations together in my latest newsletter: a candid take on why succeeding here requires more than credentials and why complexity isn’t a bug—it’s the feature.

If you’re considering expanding to the region or curious about what it takes to thrive professionally in the UAE, this one’s for you.

Peggy Van de Plassche is a value creation strategist and senior advisor with over 20 years of experience in private equity, financial services, healthcare, and technology. She works with investment firms, boards, and C-suite leaders to accelerate portfolio company performance, drive operational transformation, and unlock long-term value. Peggy specializes in the execution of complex value creation plans—spanning capital allocation, digital enablement, transaction advisory, and leadership alignment. Her work consistently bridges strategy and implementation, helping investors and operators maximize EBITDA and enterprise value. A founding board member of Invest in Canada, she also brings deep expertise in public-private partnerships and institutional capital deployment—critical levers for competitive advantage in today’s global landscape. Her clients have included BMO, CI Financial, HOOPP, OMERS, GreenShield Canada, Nicola Wealth, and Power Financial. Learn more at peggyvandeplassche.com.

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