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If you’re introverted in your procurement career, you might feel the pressure to be more visible, speak up more or show more confidence in meetings or whilst networking.
And that doesn’t always feel natural.
In this episode of Procurement Pivots, we explore what it really means to be introverted in procurement and how you can still have impact, visibility and influence without changing who you are.
We discuss:
What introversion actually means and why it is often misunderstoodWhy many procurement professionals identify with introverted preferencesThe pressure to “speak up more” and how that shows up in procurement environmentsHow to prepare for meetings in a way that plays to your strengthsPractical ways to contribute in meetings without needing all the answersHow asking questions and making observations can increase your influenceHow to be visible and credible without being the loudest voiceThis episode builds on many of the themes we’ve explored around visibility, positioning and influence in procurement careers.
Because some of the most effective procurement professionals we see are introverted.
Not despite it, but because of it.
This is your last chance to sign up for our Interactive Webinar to celebrate our first year anniversary on 15th July at 12PM UK time:
6 Ways to Elevate Your Impact and Progression As a Procurement Leader in 2026
Sign up here: https://procurementpivots.com/home-page
Hosted by:
Donna Bowden | Procurement Career Coach, Narrate Your Career
Laura Sellers | Executive and Leadership Coach, Coaching for ProcurementNew episodes weekly
Listen on Apple and Spotify
Watch on YouTube: Procurement PivotsIf this episode resonated, we’d love to hear your thoughts.
And if you’d like to explore working with Procurement Pivots, or with either of us individually, you can contact us at [email protected]
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Burnout in procurement is becoming more common.
And it’s not always for the reasons we think.
In this episode of Procurement Pivots, we explore why burnout is showing up more across procurement careers and what is really driving it.
We discuss:
Why burnout in procurement is increasing as the role continues to evolveThe pressure to constantly prove value and why this adds to the challengeWhy burnout is not just about long hours or workloadHow misalignment and the wrong environment can lead to burnout over timeThe impact of isolation, particularly at more senior levelsEarly warning signs including decision fatigue, withdrawal and changes in behaviourHow burnout affects confidence, relationships and decision makingWhat to look out for in your team as a leaderWhy high performers can often be most at riskThe importance of recognising the signs early and taking actionThis episode builds on many of the themes we’ve explored across the podcast around pressure, expectations and progression in procurement careers.
Because burnout doesn’t always come from doing too much.
It often comes from carrying too much for too long.
Sign up for our Interactive Webinar to celebrate our first year anniversary on 15th July at 12PM UK time:
6 Ways to Elevate Your Impact and Progression As a Procurement Leader in 2026
Sign Up here: procurementpivots.com/home-page
Hosted by:
Donna Bowden | Procurement Career Coach, Narrate Your Career
Laura Sellers | Executive and Leadership Coach, Coaching for ProcurementNew episodes weekly
Listen on Apple and Spotify
Watch on YouTube: Procurement PivotsIf this episode resonated, we’d love to hear from you. You can message us directly or connect via the Procurement Pivots LinkedIn page.
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Internal progression in procurement doesn’t happen by default.
You can be delivering, experienced and performing well in your role, and still find that the next opportunity doesn’t come.
In this episode of Procurement Pivots, we focus on internal positioning and why it is the missing link to progression in senior procurement careers.
We explore what it really means to be seen as ready for the next level and how your day-to-day actions shape how others perceive your capability, potential and leadership.
We discuss:
Why internal progression is driven by perception, not just performanceHow your communication, consistency and contribution shape your positioningWhy you need to be seen operating at the next level before you are promotedThe importance of visibility with the right people, not just more visibilityHow internal opportunities are often created before they are advertisedThe role of relationships, sponsorship and advocacy in progressionWhy curiosity and cross-functional exposure can open new doorsHow to have the right conversations about your future without signalling that you want to leaveWhat it means to be opportunity ready and why it mattersThis episode builds on our previous conversation around performance versus progression and brings it into a practical, internal context.
Because progression doesn’t happen when a role appears.
It happens when you are already seen as the obvious choice.
Sign up for our Interactive Webinar to celebrate our first year anniversary on 15th July at 12PM UK time:
6 Ways to Elevate Your Impact and Progression As a Procurement Leader in 2026
Hosted by:
Donna Bowden | Procurement Career Coach, Narrate Your Career
Laura Sellers | Executive and Leadership Coach, Coaching for ProcurementNew episodes weekly
Listen on Apple and Spotify
Watch on YouTube: Procurement PivotsIf this episode resonated, we’d love to hear from you. You can message us directly or connect via the Procurement Pivots LinkedIn page.
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We’ve reached our 50th episode of Procurement Pivots, and rather than looking back, we wanted to focus on what we’re consistently seeing across the procurement profession right now.
There is a gap.
A gap between performance and progression.
We are working with capable, experienced procurement professionals who are doing a good job, delivering results and adding value. And yet, for many, that isn’t translating into the visibility, recognition or opportunities they expected.
In this episode, we explore why that gap exists and what it really means for your career.
We discuss:
Why doing a good job is no longer enough in today’s procurement landscape
The disconnect between what procurement delivers and how it is perceived
Why capability is rarely the issue, even when confidence starts to dip
The difference between knowing your value and showing it consistently
How changes in ways of working are impacting visibility and progression
Why progression now requires a shift in how you think, communicate and show upThis episode brings together many of the themes we’ve explored across the podcast and connects them into one overarching insight:
Progression is no longer a natural by-product of performance. It requires intention.
Sign up for our Interactive Webinar to celebrate our first year anniversary on 15th July at 12PM UK time:
6 Ways to Elevate Your Impact and Progression As a Procurement Leader in 2026
If you’ve been listening, reflecting, and thinking about what comes next, this is your opportunity to take action.
You’ll find the link to join us in the show notes.
Hosted by:
Donna Bowden | Procurement Career Coach, Narrate Your Career
Laura Sellers | Executive and Leadership Coach, Coaching for ProcurementNew episodes weekly
Listen on Apple and Spotify
Watch on YouTube: Procurement PivotsIf this episode resonated, we’d love to hear from you. You can message us directly or connect via the Procurement Pivots LinkedIn page.
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In procurement careers, your ability to give feedback to teams and stakeholders directly impacts performance, influence and progression.
Yet it’s one of the most avoided leadership skills.
Whether it’s not wanting to upset someone, not knowing how to say it, or simply not making the time, many procurement leaders hold back from delivering the feedback their teams and stakeholders actually need.
And when that happens, performance stalls, expectations become unclear, and frustration builds across procurement teams and stakeholder relationships.
In this episode of Procurement Pivots, Donna and Laura explore how to give feedback as a procurement leader in a way that is clear, constructive and genuinely impactful.
Because feedback done well doesn’t just improve performance.
It strengthens procurement careers, builds confidence, and improves how you influence and work with stakeholders.
In this episode we explore
Why giving feedback is often avoided in procurement leadership
And the impact this has on teams and stakeholder relationshipsWhy feedback must be intentional, not reactive
Moving from ad hoc conversations to a consistent leadership approachThe risks of vague or unclear feedback
Why general comments don’t help people or stakeholders improveHow to give feedback that actually lands
Being specific, relevant and focused on impactWhy feedback needs to flow in all directions
Across teams, stakeholders and senior leadershipThe role of feedback in building high-performing procurement teams
Creating clarity, ownership and accountabilityHow poorly delivered feedback can have lasting effects
On confidence, performance and perceptionPractical frameworks to improve your feedback conversations
Including Radical Candor and the SBI (Situation, Behaviour, Impact) modelTakeaways
A clearer understanding of how to give feedback effectively in procurement careersPractical ways to make feedback more specific, constructive and impactfulA reminder that avoiding feedback creates confusion across teams and stakeholdersEncouragement to make feedback a consistent part of your procurement leadership approachHosted by:
Donna Bowden | Procurement Career Coach, Narrate Your Career
Laura Sellers | Executive and Leadership Coach, Coaching for ProcurementNew episodes weekly:
Listen on Apple and Spotify
Watch on YouTube: Procurement Pivots
Follow us on LinkedIn: Procurement PivotsAre you giving the feedback your team and stakeholders actually need… or avoiding it?
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Do you actually know where you stand in your procurement career?
Or are you making assumptions?
At senior level, feedback often becomes limited, filtered or disappears altogether.
And yet, this is exactly the point in your career where clarity matters most.
Without it, you risk making decisions based on perception rather than reality.
In this episode of Procurement Pivots, Donna and Laura explore what we’re calling the Feedback Gap - the space between how you think you’re performing and how you’re actually perceived.
Because if you don’t have that clarity, it’s very difficult to move forward with confidence.
In this episode we explore
Why feedback reduces as you become more senior (and why this creates risk, not reassurance)The gap between perception and realityHow assumptions quietly shape your career decisionsWhy many procurement professionals feel undervalued (and how lack of feedback contributes to that)The risks of operating without clear feedbackBlind spots, misalignment and missed opportunitiesWhy waiting for feedback doesn’t work at senior level and what to do insteadHow to ask for more meaningful, targeted feedbackMoving beyond vague questions to get real insightThe importance of seeking different perspectivesNot just feedback from those who already rate you highlyHow to use feedback to strengthen your positioningBuilding credibility, visibility and confidenceTakeaways
A clearer understanding of the Feedback Gap and why it existsPractical insight into how to create your own feedback loopsA reminder that assumptions can quietly hold your career backEncouragement to seek clarity before making career decisionsHosted by:
Donna Bowden | Procurement Career Coach, Narrate Your Career
Laura Sellers | Executive and Leadership Coach, Coaching for ProcurementNew episodes weekly:
Listen on Apple and Spotify
Watch on YouTube: Procurement Pivots
Follow us on LinkedIn: Procurement PivotsDo you actually know where you stand… or are you assuming?
Message us via the Procurement Pivots LinkedIn page or reach out to Donna or Laura directly.
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“Underperforming team.”
It’s a label that gets used quickly in procurement.
But what if it’s not the full picture?
In today’s market, procurement teams are under more pressure than ever.
Expectations are rising. Resources are stretched. Change is constant.
And what looks like underperformance is often something else entirely.
In this episode of Procurement Pivots, Donna and Laura explore what’s really going on behind so-called “underperforming” procurement teams, and what leaders need to focus on to turn things around.
Because this isn’t always about capability.
It’s about context, clarity and leadership.
In this episode we explore
Why “underperformance” is often misdiagnosedLooking beyond the label to understand what’s really happeningThe role of environment, pressure and unrealistic expectationsWhy teams may be stretched rather than strugglingThe importance of trust and psychological safetyHow breakdowns in trust impact performance and engagementWhy morale matters more than many leaders realiseThe impact of constant change, restructures and shifting expectationsThe role of leadership in creating clarity and directionWhy repetition, consistency and visibility are essentialHow to rebuild performance as a team, not just as a leaderCreating shared ownership, not top-down instructionThe power of small wins in rebuilding confidence and momentumShifting mindset through progress and recognitionWhy the narrative you create shapes the team you becomeMoving away from labels and towards a new identity
A clearer understanding of what sits behind “underperformance” in procurement teamsPractical insight into how leaders can diagnose and respond more effectivelyA reminder that performance issues are often rooted in environment, not individualsEncouragement to lead with clarity, visibility and trust to rebuild momentum
TakeawaysHosted by:
Donna Bowden | Procurement Career Coach, Narrate Your Career
Laura Sellers | Executive and Leadership Coach, Coaching for Procurement
New episodes weekly:Listen on Apple and Spotify
Watch on YouTube: Procurement Pivots
Follow us on LinkedIn: Procurement PivotsAre you seeing underperformance… or something else?
Message us via the Procurement Pivots LinkedIn page or reach out to Donna or Laura directly.
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“Tell me about yourself.”
It sounds simple. But in reality, it’s one of the most important and most underutilised questions in your procurement career.
It shows up everywhere:
Interviews. Stakeholder meetings. Networking conversations. New projects.
And how you answer it shapes how people see you.
In this episode of Procurement Pivots, Donna and Laura explore why this question carries so much weight, and how procurement professionals can use it more intentionally to build confidence, credibility and influence.
Because this isn’t about walking through your CV.
It’s about positioning.
In this episode we explore:
Why this question matters more than most people realiseHow your answer shapes perception, credibility and opportunityThe common mistakes procurement professionals makeChronological answers that miss the opportunity to position your valueWhy this isn’t about selling yourselfThe difference between self-promotion and helping others understand your impactHow to structure a strong and confident answerPresent positioning, what you’re known for and why it mattersWhy relevance is everythingTailoring your message for interviews, stakeholders and networkingHow this question can set the tone in interviewsOne of the few moments where you control the direction of the conversationWhy your professional identity goes beyond your job titleEspecially important when you’re between roles or navigating changeHow to evolve your message as your career developsKeeping your positioning aligned to where you’re going nextTakeaways
A clearer understanding of why this is one of the most important questions in your procurement careerA practical structure to answer it with confidence and clarityA reminder that if people don’t understand your value, they won’t recognise itEncouragement to be intentional with how you position yourself in every interactionHosted by:
Donna Bowden | Procurement Career Coach, Narrate Your Career
Laura Sellers | Executive and Leadership Coach, Coaching for ProcurementNew episodes weekly:
Listen on Apple and Spotify
Watch on YouTube: Procurement Pivots
Follow us on LinkedIn: Procurement PivotsHow are you currently answering “Tell me about yourself”?
Message us via the Procurement Pivots LinkedIn page or reach out to Donna or Laura directly.
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Procurement career growth often feels uncomfortable.
As procurement careers evolve, many professionals are being asked to step into greater visibility, leadership and influence.
You may want more impact, more progression or a more aligned role.
But stepping outside your comfort zone, whether that’s speaking up in meetings, building your presence on LinkedIn or developing leadership confidence, can feel unfamiliar and uncertain.
In this episode of Procurement Pivots, Donna and Laura explore why discomfort is a natural and necessary part of career growth, and how to navigate it with more clarity and intention.
Because staying where it feels comfortable may feel safe, but it often leads to stalled procurement career progression.
In this episode we explore:
Why procurement career growth feels uncomfortable
The gap between where you are today and where you want to get toHow the comfort zone can quietly hold you back
Why staying where things feel safe can limit progression, visibility and career developmentThe three zones of growth: comfort, stretch and panic
Understanding where confidence is built and where it can be lostWhy many procurement professionals overwhelm themselves before they start
Jumping straight to the end goal rather than breaking it down into manageable stepsHow to take practical, incremental steps forward
Building confidence and leadership presence through action, not overthinkingRethinking visibility and influence in procurement
Why you don’t need to be the loudest voice to have impact with stakeholdersApplying this to real scenarios
From speaking up in meetings to using LinkedIn more intentionally without needing to postWhy clarity reduces fear
Separating what is genuinely challenging from what feels overwhelmingTakeaways
A clearer understanding of why discomfort is part of procurement career growthA practical framework to help you step outside your comfort zone with more confidenceA reminder that consistent stretch drives career progression, not big leapsEncouragement to stop waiting for confidence and start building it through actionHosted by:
Donna Bowden | Procurement Career Coach, Narrate Your Career
Laura Sellers | Executive and Leadership Coach, Coaching for ProcurementNew episodes weekly:
Listen on Apple and Spotify
Watch on YouTube: Procurement Pivots
Follow us on LinkedIn: Procurement PivotsWhat is currently sitting just outside your comfort zone in your procurement career?
Message us via the Procurement Pivots LinkedIn page or reach out to Donna or Laura directly.
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Procurement careers are evolving at pace.
The remit is expanding. Expectations are rising. Pressure is increasing.
Yet in many organisations, learning and development support has reduced, shifted or become less personalised.
Some procurement professionals receive strong internal investment. Others receive very little. Even within the same organisation, the level of development can vary significantly.
In this episode of Procurement Pivots, Donna and Laura explore what we are calling the Procurement Development Gap. This is the space between where your career is heading and the skills, capability and confidence you are intentionally building.
Career acceleration rarely happens by accident. It happens through clarity, ownership and aligned investment.
In this episode we explore:
Why the L&D landscape has shifted in procurement
> How reduced or inconsistent development support is impacting procurement careersWhat the Procurement Development Gap really looks like
> The difference between evolving role expectations and personal capability buildingHow to carry out a meaningful gap analysis
> Identifying where you are now, where you want to go and what may be holding you backWhy progression is often about leadership presence, influence and impact
> Not just technical or category expertiseAvoiding overwhelm in an age of information overload
> How to prioritise what will genuinely move the needleThe ROI of investing in your own professional development
> Considering time, energy and financial investment with intentionHow to build a business case for support
> Why development conversations can form part of annual reviews, salary discussions and retention strategiesThe power of accountability and aligned support
> From coaching and mentoring to peer conversations and targeted learningTakeaways
A clearer understanding of the Procurement Development GapPractical guidance on prioritising procurement professional development with intentionEncouragement to move from passive provision to proactive ownershipA reminder that investing in yourself is strategicHosted by:
Donna Bowden | Procurement Career Coach, Narrate Your Career
Laura Sellers | Executive and Leadership Coach, Coaching for ProcurementNew episodes weekly:
Listen on Apple and Spotify
Watch on YouTube: Procurement Pivots
Follow us on LinkedIn: Procurement PivotsWhat development gap are you currently closing in your procurement career?
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Communication sits at the heart of every procurement career.
You can be technically strong, commercially capable and consistently deliver results. But if your communication does not land, your influence, credibility and progression can stall.
In this episode, Donna and Laura explore why communication is one of the most powerful differentiators in procurement today. They discuss how self-awareness shapes the way you show up, why your style must evolve as your stakeholder audience becomes more senior, and how subtle shifts in tone, pace and language can significantly elevate how you are perceived.
They also explore how AI and remote working are diluting personal voice, why many procurement professionals feel unheard or undervalued, and how influence is built through clarity rather than volume.
If you want to operate more strategically, strengthen your presence and gain influence without compromising who you are, this conversation is for you.
In this episode we explore
Why communication underpins influence in procurement
How your ability to translate procurement value into business language shapes how seriously you are taken.Understanding your natural communication style
Why self-awareness is the foundation for confidence, adaptability and stronger stakeholder relationships.Tactical versus strategic communication
How tone, clarity and delivery must evolve as your stakeholder audience becomes more senior.Confidence, perception and personal brand
How posture, word choice and presence influence how others interpret your capability.The risk of diluted voice
How AI-generated content and remote working can weaken your impact if you are not intentional.Influence without politics
How to navigate communication dynamics while maintaining integrity and authenticity.Takeaways
A clearer understanding of how communication shapes procurement career progression.Practical reflection points to help you identify where your current style is working and where small shifts could elevate your impact.Encouragement to communicate for the level you want to operate at, not just the role you currently hold.A reminder that influence is built through clarity, confidence and intentionality.Hosted by
Donna Bowden | Procurement Career Coach, Narrate Your Career
Laura Sellers | Executive and Leadership Coach, Coaching for ProcurementNew episodes weekly
Listen on Apple and Spotify
Watch on YouTube: Procurement Pivots
Follow us on LinkedIn: Procurement PivotsWant to shape what comes next or suggest a topic? Message us via the Procurement Pivots LinkedIn page or reach out to Donna or Laura directly.
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For many procurement professionals, the word networking triggers discomfort.
Awkward. Inauthentic. Contrived. Embarrassing.
And yet, relationship-driven opportunities remain one of the most powerful drivers of procurement career progression.
In this episode of Procurement Pivots, Donna and Laura unpack why networking has become so emotionally loaded in procurement careers, and why avoiding it may be quietly limiting your opportunities.
They explore the mindset barriers, the assumptions and the cultural narratives that make networking feel uncomfortable. More importantly, they reframe networking for what it truly is: building meaningful professional relationships.
Because procurement careers are not built through applications alone. They are built through trust, visibility and connection.
In this episode we explore
Why the word networking carries so much emotional weight in procurement
How negative associations can create avoidance and self-doubt.The reality of how procurement roles are secured
Why the majority of opportunities come through relationships, not job boards.Reframing networking as relationship building
How shifting language changes behaviour and confidence.Different ways to network that align with your personality
From one-to-one conversations to planned event meetings and virtual connections.The pressure of networking when job seeking
Why urgency makes networking feel harder and how to approach it differently.The importance of preparation and follow-up
How the real relationship often begins after the initial conversation.Building your network before you need it
Why proactive relationship building creates long-term career leverage.Takeaways
A reframed understanding of networking in procurement careers.
Practical ways to approach external relationship building with greater confidence and intention.
Encouragement to shift from transactional thinking to genuine connection.
A reminder that sometimes one conversation can change everything.
Hosted by
Donna Bowden | Procurement Career Coach, Narrate Your Career
Laura Sellers | Executive and Leadership Coach, Coaching for ProcurementNew episodes weekly
Listen on Apple and Spotify
Watch on YouTube: Procurement Pivots
Follow us on LinkedIn: Procurement PivotsWant to share your experience of networking in procurement? Message us via the Procurement Pivots LinkedIn page or reach out to Donna or Laura directly.
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In today’s procurement career market, visibility is no longer optional. Yet many procurement professionals remain hesitant, quiet or completely invisible on LinkedIn.
This episode tackles the uncomfortable but important question. What is your LinkedIn presence quietly costing your procurement career?
In a market shaped by restructuring, increased competition and fewer internal opportunities, LinkedIn has become a powerful career lever. Not just for job searching, but for positioning, credibility, discoverability and influence.
And yet procurement as a profession is still significantly underrepresented compared to other corporate functions.
In this conversation, Donna and Laura explore the visibility gap in procurement careers. They unpack the fears that hold professionals back, the myths around posting and self-promotion, and the real opportunity cost of staying silent.
This is not about becoming louder. It is about becoming intentional.
In this episode we explore
The fear versus reality of LinkedIn visibility
Why worries about judgement, ego and self-promotion are often stronger than the actual risk.Why posting is not step one
The overlooked foundations of LinkedIn that create career leverage without constant content creation.LinkedIn as a search engine for procurement careers
How profile optimisation impacts recruiter searches, internal mobility and external opportunity.Visibility versus ego
Why showing your value is not arrogance, but education.Procurement’s visibility gap
Why procurement professionals are behind other corporate functions and why that creates a differentiation opportunity.Comfort zone, stretch and growth
How to build visibility in manageable steps rather than jumping into fear.The hidden cost of staying invisible
How silence limits optionality, credibility and career control.Takeaways
A clearer understanding of how LinkedIn impacts procurement career progression, even when you are not actively job seeking.
Practical reflections to help you define your next intentional step on LinkedIn.
A reframed view of visibility as a strategic career asset rather than a self-promotion exercise.
Encouragement to shift from focusing on what could go wrong to what could go right.
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In this episode of Procurement Pivots, we explore a topic that often feels uncomfortable but quietly shapes careers more than performance alone: internal networking.
Many procurement professionals associate networking with politics, self-promotion or big events. But internal leverage is not about being the loudest in the room. It is about building genuine, consistent relationships that create influence, sponsorship and long-term career optionality.
Donna and Laura unpack why internal networking feels emotive, how fear of perception holds professionals back, and why clarity of purpose changes everything. They discuss how procurement’s unique cross-functional position creates powerful opportunity, and how relationships built beyond projects can open doors you did not even know existed.
This conversation reframes internal networking from something awkward or transactional into something strategic, intentional and career-defining.
In this episode we explore:
Why internal networking feels uncomfortable
How fear of judgement and misconceptions about personality types stop capable professionals from building influence.Purpose before action
The importance of knowing whether you are building relationships to perform better, increase visibility or position yourself for future opportunities.Starting with what you already have
How to leverage existing strengths, stakeholder maps and past relationship success to build confidence.Moving beyond project-based relationships
Why the strongest careers are built on connections that continue after the work ends.Procurement’s unique cross-functional advantage
How the touchpoints across the organisation create opportunities for influence, sponsorship and even career pivots.Consistency over intensity
Why showing up steadily and genuinely builds more leverage than transactional networking.Takeaways
A reframed view of internal networking as strategic career leverage rather than self-promotion.
Practical reflection points to identify where your internal relationships are strong and where opportunity exists.
Encouragement to build influence before you need it, rather than waiting for a restructure, promotion or crossroads moment.
A reminder that internal sponsorship and opportunity rarely happen by accident.
Hosted by
Donna Bowden | Procurement Career Coach, Narrate Your Career
Laura Sellers | Executive and Leadership Coach, Coaching for ProcurementNew episodes weekly
Listen on Apple and Spotify
Watch on YouTube: Procurement Pivots
Follow us on LinkedIn: Procurement PivotsWant to ask a question or share a topic you would like us to cover? Message us via the Procurement Pivots LinkedIn page or reach out to Donna or Laura directly.
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In this episode of Procurement Pivots, we unpack one of the most talked-about transitions in the profession: the move from operational to strategic procurement.
We hear it everywhere. Procurement must become more strategic. Roles are evolving. Expectations are rising.
But what does that shift actually mean in practice?
And why does it feel harder than it sounds?
In this conversation, Donna and Laura explore the realities behind the operational to strategic transition. They discuss why the word “strategic” is often misunderstood, how misalignment creates frustration, and why many procurement professionals feel stuck between firefighting and future thinking.
This episode shines a light on the behavioural, relational and mindset shifts required to move beyond operational delivery and into strategic influence.
Defining what “strategic” really means
In this episode we explore:
Why the word is frequently used but rarely clarified, and how misalignment creates career friction.Context matters
How operational and strategic procurement look different depending on sector, organisation and leadership appetite.The gap analysis
Understanding whether the real gap is skills, relationships, visibility, confidence or support.Stop waiting for permission
Why strategic influence often begins before the title changes.Visibility and communication
The risk of internalising ambition and assuming others know what you want.Strategic does not mean political
Why influence is not manipulation and how values-led leadership still drives results.The role of relationships
How stakeholder trust and advocacy accelerate strategic progression.Takeaways
Clarity on what strategic procurement means in your current environment.A practical framework to assess the gap between where you are and where you want to be.Encouragement to take ownership of small, intentional shifts rather than waiting for a promotion.A reminder that strategic behaviour often precedes strategic titles.Hosted by
Donna Bowden | Procurement Career Coach, Narrate Your Career
Laura Sellers | Executive and Leadership Coach, Coaching for ProcurementNew episodes weekly
Listen on Apple and Spotify
Watch on YouTube: Procurement Pivots
Follow us on LinkedIn: Procurement PivotsWant to ask a question or share a topic you would like us to cover? Message us via the Procurement Pivots LinkedIn page or reach out to Donna or Laura directly.
#Procurement #ProcurementCareer #CareerDevelopment #Leadership #ProcurementProfessionals #ProcurementLeadership
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In this episode of Procurement Pivots, we explore why owning your strengths is not simply a development exercise and how procurement professionals can use their strengths to accelerate their careers. This is a strategic advantage in your procurement career.
We often hear the advice to “know your strengths.” But many procurement professionals either underestimate what they bring, build their careers around strengths they do not enjoy using, or assume others automatically see their value.
In a competitive and evolving procurement landscape, technical competence alone is not enough. The real differentiator lies in how you bring your strengths to life, how clearly you communicate them, and whether you are intentionally building your career around them.
In this conversation, Donna and Laura explore how strengths shape confidence, influence and long-term career satisfaction. They discuss why understanding your strengths deeply matters, how overusing them can create blind spots, and how to close the gap between knowing your strengths and being known for them.
This episode shines a light on the practical and strategic role strengths play in career progression, visibility and opportunity within procurement.
In this episode we explore:
Why strengths are foundational to career confidenceHow truly understanding your strengths creates clarity and momentum.The difference between being good at something and enjoying itWhy competence alone is not enough to sustain long-term career growth.How strengths leave patterns across your careerIdentifying recurring themes, feedback and moments of success that reveal your true strengths.The visibility gapThe difference between knowing your strengths and ensuring others recognise and value them.When strengths become overusedHow attention to detail, leadership, negotiation or relationship building can become liabilities under pressure.Gathering meaningful feedbackPractical ways to uncover blind spots and ask the right question to understand how others see you at your best.Takeaways
A clearer understanding of how strengths influence career direction and progression in procurement.Practical tools to identify patterns and close the visibility gap.Encouragement to build a career around strengths you enjoy using, not just those you perform well.A reminder that owning your strengths is not self-promotion. It's strategic positioning.Hosted by
Donna Bowden | Procurement Career Coach, Narrate Your Career
Laura Sellers | Executive and Leadership Coach, Coaching for Procurement
New episodes weekly
Listen on Apple and Spotify
Watch on YouTube: Procurement Pivots
Follow us on LinkedIn: Procurement Pivots
Want to ask a question or share a topic you would like us to cover? Message us via the Procurement Pivots LinkedIn page or reach out to Donna or Laura directly.
#Procurement #ProcurementCareer #CareerDevelopment #Leadership #ProcurementProfessionals #Procurementleadership
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Navigating Restructure in Procurement Series – Part 4
In this final episode of our four-part series on navigating restructure in procurement, we turn our attention to the team perspective.
We have explored what happens when you exit an organisation, when you remain following change, and what leadership looks like in times of uncertainty. Now we focus on the collective impact. Because restructures do not just affect individuals. They reshape team dynamics, trust, identity and performance.
In this conversation, Donna and Laura explore the responsibility and opportunity procurement teams have to reset intentionally after change. They discuss how trust can quietly erode, how old loyalties and tensions can linger beneath the surface, and why reconnecting as a team is not a luxury but a necessity for future performance.
This episode shines a light on how procurement teams can rebuild confidence, strengthen relationships and move forward together with clarity and purpose.
In this episode we explore
1. The team’s responsibility to lead through change
Why leadership does not sit solely with the title holder and how team members can influence culture, standards and morale.
2. Re-establishing team identity and shared values
How defining who you want to be as a team creates stability and belonging after disruption.
3. Trust, tension and unspoken dynamics after restructure
Why unresolved issues can sit beneath the surface and what healthy teams do differently.
4. The ripple effect on stakeholder relationships
How internal unity directly impacts how procurement is perceived across the wider business.
5. Creating space to reconnect in a resource-stretched world
Why taking time to reset strategically builds long-term momentum and performance.
6. Recognising small wins to rebuild resilience
How collective recognition strengthens morale and reinforces progress during uncertain periods.
Takeaways
A deeper understanding of how restructures affect team dynamics long after formal changes are announced.Practical reflections to help procurement teams rebuild trust and cohesion.Encouragement to have honest conversations rather than papering over cracks.A reminder that even in disruption, teams have agency in how they choose to move forward together.Hosted by
Donna Bowden | Procurement Career Coach, Narrate Your Career
Laura Sellers | Executive and Leadership Coach, Coaching for ProcurementNew episodes weekly
Listen on Apple and Spotify
Watch on YouTube: Procurement Pivots
Follow us on LinkedIn: Procurement PivotsWant to ask a question or share a topic you would like us to cover? Message us via the Procurement Pivots LinkedIn page or reach out to Donna or Laura directly.
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Navigating Restructure in Procurement Series – Part 3
In this third episode of our four-part series on navigating restructures in procurement, we shift the lens to the procurement leader. Leading a team through organisational change can be one of the most challenging responsibilities in a senior role. You are supporting others while also managing your own emotions, dealing with ambiguity and being pulled in multiple directions by the business, stakeholders and your team.
In this conversation, Donna and Laura explore what makes this leadership moment so uniquely complex, why it can feel isolating and how leaders can maintain clarity, presence and steadiness even when they do not have all the answers. They also discuss the role modelling effect leaders have, and how small actions and consistent communication can rebuild confidence and cohesion across the team.
Whether you are leading through change right now or preparing yourself for future transitions, this episode offers grounded perspective and practical guidance to help you navigate uncertainty with intention.
In this episode we explore:
1. The conflicting pressures placed on procurement leaders
How leaders are often managing their own emotional responses while also carrying the expectations of the business and the needs of their team.
2. Why visibility and consistent messaging matter more than ever
How being present, available and clear helps reduce anxiety and uncertainty across the team.
3. Role modelling calm, clarity and stability during change
Why the way a leader shows up shapes how the team experiences the transition and regains confidence.
4. Communicating honestly when you do not have all the answers
How transparency can build trust and reduce speculation in periods of ambiguity.
5. Resetting priorities and stakeholder expectations
The importance of realigning goals, boundaries and resource levels so the team can deliver sustainably after restructuring.
6. Finding the right support for yourself as a leader
Why leaders need space too, and how to stay resourced rather than isolated when navigating complex change.
Takeaways:
Practical insight into the realities and pressures procurement leaders face during restructure.Tools to support your team while also protecting your own wellbeing and confidence.Guidance on communication, visibility and role modelling during periods of uncertainty.Reassurance that leadership challenges in transition are normal and that strong support and clarity can make a critical difference.Hosted by
Donna Bowden | Procurement Career Coach, Narrate Your Career
Laura Sellers | Executive and Leadership Coach, Coaching for ProcurementNew episodes weekly
Listen on Apple and Spotify
Watch on YouTube: Procurement Pivots
Follow us on LinkedIn: Procurement PivotsWant to ask a question or request a topic? Message us via the Procurement Pivots LinkedIn page or reach out to Donna or Laura directly.
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Send us Fan Mail
Navigating Restructure in Procurement Series – Part 2
In Part 2 of our series on navigating restructure in procurement, Donna and Laura shift the focus to those who remain in the organisation after change has taken place. While redundancy often dominates the conversation, staying through a restructure comes with its own emotional, relational and professional challenges, many of which go unspoken.
Internal change can shake confidence, disrupt team and stakeholder dynamics, alter relationships and create prolonged periods of uncertainty. In this episode, Donna and Laura explore what really happens beneath the surface when you stay, why it affects people so differently, and how you can rebuild clarity and confidence during times of ongoing organisational change.
This episode is for anyone who is currently navigating internal restructure, leading through it, or preparing themselves for the reality of continuous change in the procurement landscape.
In this episode we explore:
The emotional impact of staying after a restructure: why guilt, relief, fear and doubt can coexist, even when your role is secure.The long periods of uncertainty leading up to structural decisions: how whispers, speculation and lack of clarity can create stress that builds over time.The importance of acknowledging your emotional response: why suppressing how you feel makes it harder to move forward with confidence.Changing dynamics with colleagues and stakeholders: how role changes, competition and leadership turnover alter relationships and influence.Managing fear based behaviours and protecting your energy: how to separate reaction from response and stay grounded in challenging environments.The value of support networks and safe spaces: why speaking with trusted people helps you process change constructively.Noticing opportunity within disruption: how restructure can also create moments of reset, clarity and positive career shifts.Reconnecting with yourself and what you want long term: how understanding your values, needs and career direction helps you decide whether this is still the right environment for you.Takeaways
A clearer understanding of the emotional and practical realities of staying after restructure.Strategies to rebuild confidence, manage uncertainty and navigate shifting dynamics.Reassurance that your feelings are valid and normal during times of change.Encouragement to use this period as a chance to reflect, reset and take intentional action for your future.Hosted by
Donna Bowden | Procurement Career Coach, Narrate Your Career
Laura Sellers | Executive and Leadership Coach, Coaching for ProcurementNew episodes weekly
Listen on Apple and Spotify
Watch on YouTube: Procurement Pivots
Follow us on LinkedIn: Procurement PivotsWant to share your experience or ask a question about navigating restructure? Message us via the Procurement Pivots LinkedIn page or reach out to Donna or Laura directly.
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Navigating Restructure in Procurement – Series Part 1
In this new four part series, we explore the realities of navigating restructure in today’s procurement landscape. And in this first episode, we explore one of the most challenging experiences a procurement professional can face: being made redundant.
Redundancy is never a simple moment. It brings waves of emotion, identity questions and uncertainty about what comes next. But it can also mark the beginning of a more aligned chapter once the dust settles. In this conversation, Donna and Laura break down what actually happens in those first days and weeks, how to process the emotional impact and the small intentional steps that help you rebuild confidence and regain momentum.
Whether you are experiencing redundancy right now, supporting someone who is or simply preparing yourself for future change, this episode offers grounded, compassionate guidance for navigating the transition with clarity and strength.
In this episode we explore:
1. The emotional rollercoaster of redundancy
Why feelings such as shame, fear, relief and hope often coexist and why every emotion you experience is valid.2. Identity, confidence and the impact of loss
How much of our identity is tied to our role and what happens when that structure suddenly disappears.3. The importance of self compassion and self care
Why rest, routine and stepping away from the “job search hamster wheel” are essential for perspective and resilience.4. Moving from overwhelm to clarity
Why diving straight into CV updates or scattergun applications rarely works and what to focus on instead.5. Small steps that rebuild momentum
How to regain a sense of control through manageable actions, reflection and reconnecting with your strengths and achievements.6. Learning from regret without staying stuck
How to use “I wish I had…” moments as insight for the future rather than punishment for the past.7. Why support matters more than ever
The role of community, trusted people and free resources that can help you feel less alone and more empowered.
A compassionate understanding of the emotional and practical challenges that follow redundancy.A clear, realistic path for rebuilding momentum through intentional small steps.Encouragement to focus on clarity, confidence and support rather than urgency or pressure.Reassurance that redundancy does not diminish your value, capability or the opportunities ahead.
Takeaways
Hosted byDonna Bowden | Procurement Career Coach, Narrate Your Career
Laura Sellers | Executive and Leadership Coach, Coaching for ProcurementNew episodes weekly
Listen on Apple and Spotify
Watch on YouTube: Procurement Pivots
Follow us on LinkedIn: Procurement PivotsWant to ask a question or suggest a topic for the series? Message us via the Procurement Pivots LinkedIn page or reach out to Donna or Laura directly.
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