Many talented professionals with one or more degrees under their belt have plateaued as executives or middle management in their careers. They work in large, global corporations with experience with diversity, international teams and multiculturism. They already understand the phrase: “Think Global, Act Local.” They live and work most of their careers in corporations that employ tens or hundreds of thousands of people.
They do their job, take the work seriously, and do it the best they can. Those are people who don’t make it look easy but do their job so well that it seems boring. They understand those leadership roles in corporations are mostly tedious work surrounding times of chaos and confusion.
This is the type of experience that is needed in local government right now. We need a political revolution of professionals who demonstrated competence and expertise in businesses who offer their time and talents back to their community by running for local office.
Our society expects some of our young, healthy men and women to volunteer for military duty, especially in times of conflict. In the same vein, experienced executives and professionals with decades of business experience need to consider running for local office or volunteer for a local committee or board. Especially during times of crisis like today!
Do your research on the political seat holders and candidates involved in the election. Do you agree or disagree with the political climate and opinions of locally elected officials?
We need those who have benefited from the riches of society to give back. If you have this background, disagree with the current politics or candidates in office, then run for office. Just running for office adds your voice to the political discourse.
Political ideologies can’t compete against competent, talented, experienced professionals who use facts-based analysis when there is disagreement or diverging points of view in a debate. Your talents can benefit your local community; your community needs your help! The world needs your help!
In 2015, my neighbor in Marlborough convinced me to run for ward councilor. The incumbent decided not to run for re-election, leaving an open seat.
I had a bachelor’s in engineering and an MBA; my background included over 25 years of high-tech experience working in global corporations and startups. My career began in MetroWest Boston when the computer industry filled routes 128 and 495 while Silicon Valley was primarily orchards. This background in industry and business is a much-needed quality in local politics, and unfortunately very hard to find.
In any democracy, change comes from the bottom up, and the foundation is local elections. Unfortunately, the national media ignores local elections, while regional media focuses on campaigns in the largest metropolitan cities.
The result is many local politicians run unopposed, and local elections have the lowest voter turnout. It also means every vote counts!
Running for a local office is about selling yourself to your community. Local elections are one of the few political roles where selling yourself by canvassing door to door is not only possible but necessary.
Voters appreciate meeting the candidates. As a result, they become engaged and have a greater chance to vote in local elections. Convincing one person to vote for you is one ballot for you in the election and helps democracy overall.
There is a level of authenticity required; you can’t fake it to your neighbors. A political image based on lies doesn’t go far when an opponent is honest and truthful.
Democracy is not a spectator sport. We need a new generation of local political leadership to run for office who have demonstrated leadership throughout their careers.
If you are a semi-retired executive or professional reading or watching the news of 2021 with fear and tribulation not knowing what to do, know that the talents of experienced, knowledgeable professionals like you are needed and required by your community.
If you decide to run for office, you can make sure that there is a lasting legacy for future generations instead of a disaster.
David Doucette is the Ward 2 City Councilor of Marlborough, MA. He is running for his 4th term in office. You can find out more about him at his website: Doucette4Marlborough.org.
