👩‍💼 Why I’m Not Running for Office (And Probably Never Will)
People sometimes ask me why I don’t run for public office.
It’s flattering. But here’s the truth: I have a hard time with the idea that if you buy into one belief, you’re expected to adopt ten more—no questions asked.
Party lines, political jerseys, organizational echo chambers—it’s all the same pattern: pick a side, stick to the script.
But real leadership doesn’t live in binaries. And innovation? It thrives on friction, not agreement.
🧠 I’ve built my career around independent thinking.
Not to be contrarian—but because complexity demands it.
Because blind consensus leads to blind spots.
Because the best ideas often come from respectful disagreement.
This is why I loved Janan Ganesh’s recent FT piece on Denmark: a country that dares to be pro-welfare and pro-market. That thinks case by case. Issue by issue. Not vibes by vibes.
In a world that rewards tribal loyalty, nuance has become an act of courage.
We don’t need more people who “toe the line.” We need more people willing to say:
"I agree with you on this. I don’t on that. Let’s keep talking."
That’s not disloyalty. That’s integrity.
💬 Curious to hear from others:
Where have you seen independent thinking lead to better outcomes—in politics, leadership, or business?
#Leadership #Innovation #IndependentThinking #CriticalThinking

Peggy Van de Plassche is a seasoned advisor with over 20 years of experience in financial services, healthcare, and technology. She specializes in guiding boards and C-suite executives through transformational change, leveraging technology and capital allocation to drive growth and innovation. A founding board member of Invest in Canada, Peggy also brings unique expertise in navigating complex issues and fostering public-private partnerships—key elements in shaping the Future of Business. Her skill set includes strategic leadership, capital allocation, transaction advisory, technology integration, and governance. Notable clients include BMO, CI Financial, HOOPP, OMERS, GreenShield Canada, Nicola Wealth, and Power Financial. For more information, visit peggyvandeplassche.com.

#business #diplomacy #government #politics #leadership #ideas #canada #US #economy #washington #ottawa #growth #influence #politics #policy