Procurement Pivots®

Send us Fan Mail How do you prepare for your procurement team's end-of-year performance reviews and make sure these important conversations really count? What questions should you be asking? How can you make annual performance reviews more meaningful, rather than simply another HR tick-box exercise? And how do you recognise your team's contribution beyond procurement savings and traditional performance measures? Perhaps most importantly, how can effective procurement leadership turn these conversations into opportunities to strengthen motivation, support procurement career development and progression, and improve employee engagement and retention? For procurement leaders, performance reviews are about much more than assessing what someone has delivered over the past 12 months. These conversations can have a significant impact on procurement careers, professional development and how individuals feel about their future within an organisation. In this episode of Procurement Pivots Podcast, Donna Bowden and Laura Sellers explore how procurement leaders can prepare for meaningful end-of-year performance reviews, recognise individual contributions and create conversations that set their people up for success. Because the way you approach these conversations can influence how valued, motivated and supported someone feels. It might even influence whether they decide to stay or leave. In this episode, we explore: Why end-of-year performance reviews can be pivotal moments in procurement careers How to prepare for meaningful annual appraisals rather than treating them as a tick-box exercise Why performance feedback shouldn't come as an unpleasant surprise Recognising procurement contributions beyond cost savings, including stakeholder relationships and wider business impact How recognition and appreciation can influence motivation, engagement and retention Why effective performance reviews should be two-way conversations How these conversations can support future development, career progression and team performance Whether you're a Procurement Director, Head of Procurement or responsible for managing and developing a procurement team, this conversation offers an opportunity to reflect on how you approach these important discussions. A great end-of-year review isn't simply about looking back at what's been achieved. It's about helping your people look ahead with greater clarity, confidence and motivation. About Procurement Pivots Podcast We're passionate about supporting the people behind procurement success. Between us, we bring over 25 years of experience supporting procurement professionals and leaders. Through Procurement Pivots Podcast, we explore procurement careers, procurement leadership, career progression, impact, influence and performance. About Donna Bowden Donna Bowden is a Procurement Positioning Career Coach and Founder of Narrate Your Career, supporting senior procurement professionals and leaders to understand their value, build confidence and strengthen their career positioning. Drawing on her experience in procurement recruitment and career coaching, Donna helps procurement leaders make more intentional career decisions and position themselves for future opportunities. If you're a senior UK procurement professional and would like to explore working with Donna, book a confidential Career Momentum Call: https://www.narrateyourcareer.com/book-a-call Or download Donna's Proven Procurement CV Checklist: https://www.narrateyourcareer.com/CVchecklist About Laura Sellers Laura Sellers is an Executive and Leadership Coach specialising in procurement professionals and teams. Drawing on her background in procurement and procurement development, she helps individuals and organisations strengthen leadership capability, self-awareness, influence and performance. Find out more about Laura: https://www.coachingforprocurement.co.uk/ Contact Laura: https://www.coachingforprocurement.co.uk/contact-me

Send us Fan Mail What does it really take to build a great procurement team? You can bring together highly experienced, capable procurement professionals, but that doesn't automatically mean they'll work effectively together. Because building a great procurement team is about much more than individual skills, experience and technical expertise. In this episode of Procurement Pivots Podcast, Donna Bowden and Laura Sellers explore the complexities of team dynamics in procurement, the challenges procurement leaders face when building and leading high-performing teams, and the factors that can influence how successfully people work together. From different personalities and motivations to organisational structures, ways of working and relationships, there's often much more going on beneath the surface than we initially recognise. And understanding those dynamics can make a significant difference to both individual and collective performance. In this episode, we explore: Why bringing together great procurement professionals doesn't automatically create a great team The different factors that influence procurement team dynamics and performance How organisational structures, cultures and ways of working shape team effectiveness The importance of understanding individual motivations, strengths and expectations Why trust, psychological safety and open communication matter The challenges of building collaboration across procurement teams, functions and locations Balancing individual development with collective team performance The role of procurement leadership in recognising and addressing underlying team challenges Whether you're a Head of Procurement, Procurement Director, team leader or someone aspiring to take on greater leadership responsibility, this conversation offers an opportunity to reflect on what really makes a procurement team effective. Because building a great team isn't simply about having great people. It's about creating the conditions for those people to succeed together. Get in Touch You can now receive even more insights from us and have the opportunity to engage with us privately by joining our Procurement Pivots email community. Over the coming weeks, we'll be focusing on helping you to end 2026 on a high and think more intentionally about the year ahead. https://procurementpivots.com/email-list If you'd like to explore working with Procurement Pivots Podcast, or with either of us individually, contact us at: hello@procurementpivots.com About Procurement Pivots Podcast We're passionate about supporting the people behind procurement success. Between us, we bring over 25 years of experience supporting procurement professionals and leaders in a variety of different ways. Through Procurement Pivots Podcast, we bring to life some of the conversations we're having in our coaching work around procurement careers, leadership, impact, influence and progression. About Donna Bowden Donna Bowden is a Procurement Positioning Career Coach and Founder of Narrate Your Career, supporting senior procurement professionals and leaders to better understand their value and strengthen how they position themselves for where they want to head next. Through her coaching, Donna helps procurement leaders build greater clarity and confidence in their career direction, recognise their unique value and make more intentional decisions about their careers. This includes recognising their leadership strengths, understanding what matters most to them and positioning themselves for future career opportunities. If you're a senior UK procurement professional and you'd like to explore working with Donna, you can book a confidential Career Momentum Call here: https://www.narrateyourcareer.com/book-a-call Or download Donna's Proven Procurement CV Checklist here: https://www.narrateyourcareer.com/CVchecklist About Laura Sellers Laura Sellers is an Executive and Leadership Coach, specialising in coaching for procurement professionals and teams. Drawing on her background in procurement and procurement development, she supports individuals and organisations to develop leadership capability, strengthen self-awareness and elevate their impact, influence and performance. Find out more about Laura and her work here: https://www.coachingforprocurement.co.uk/ Or get in touch with Laura directly: https://www.coachingforprocurement.co.uk/contact-me

Send us Fan Mail How do you stay effective under pressure when working in procurement? Managing competing priorities, demanding stakeholders, tight deadlines and increasing expectations can make pressure feel like a constant part of working in procurement. But how often do you stop to consider where that pressure is actually coming from, and how it's influencing the way you think, behave and make decisions? In this episode of Procurement Pivots Podcast, Donna Bowden and Laura Sellers explore the challenges of managing pressure in procurement, why even experienced procurement professionals and leaders can find themselves feeling overwhelmed, and how developing greater self-awareness can help us respond rather than react. Because not all pressure comes from the people and situations around us. Sometimes, it's the expectations we place on ourselves that make things harder. And the very strengths that have helped us succeed in our procurement careers can sometimes work against us when pressure builds. In this episode, we explore: Where pressure comes from in procurement and why it can feel relentless How to recognise when you're taking on other people's pressure The expectations we place on ourselves as procurement professionals and leaders Why some of our greatest strengths can work against us under pressure The difference between responding and reacting when demands increase How creating space to think can help us make better decisions The importance of recognising what we can control and influence Why boundaries, perspective and support matter when pressure builds Whether you're leading a procurement function, managing challenging stakeholder relationships or simply finding yourself juggling more than you'd like, this conversation offers an opportunity to reflect on how you're experiencing pressure and what might help you navigate it more effectively. Sometimes, it's the pause that enables the pace. Get in Touch You can now receive even more insights from us and have the opportunity to engage with us privately by joining our Procurement Pivots email community. Over the coming weeks, we'll be focusing on helping you to end 2026 on a high and think more intentionally about the year ahead. https://procurementpivots.com/email-list If you'd like to explore working with Procurement Pivots Podcast, or with either of us individually, contact us at: hello@procurementpivots.com About Procurement Pivots Podcast We're passionate about supporting the people behind procurement success. Between us, we bring over 25 years of experience supporting procurement professionals and leaders in a variety of different ways. Through Procurement Pivots Podcast, we bring to life some of the conversations we're having in our coaching work around procurement careers, leadership, impact, influence and progression. About Donna Bowden Donna Bowden is a Procurement Positioning Career Coach and Founder of Narrate Your Career, supporting senior procurement professionals and leaders to better understand their value and strengthen how they position themselves for where they want to head next. Through her coaching, Donna helps procurement leaders build greater clarity and confidence in their career direction, recognise their unique value and make more intentional decisions about their careers. This includes understanding what matters most to them and what sustainable career success looks like. If you're a senior UK procurement professional and you'd like to explore working with Donna, you can book a confidential Career Momentum Call here: https://www.narrateyourcareer.com/book-a-call Or download Donna's Proven Procurement CV Checklist here: https://www.narrateyourcareer.com/CVchecklist About Laura Sellers Laura Sellers is an Executive and Leadership Coach, specialising in coaching for procurement professionals and teams. Drawing on her background in procurement and procurement development, she supports individuals and organisations to develop leadership capability, strengthen self-awareness and elevate their impact, influence and performance. Find out more about Laura and her work here: https://www.coachingforprocurement.co.uk/ Or get in touch with Laura directly: https://www.coachingforprocurement.co.uk/contact-me

Send us Fan Mail You know the value you bring. But how well can you evidence it? In today's procurement landscape, being able to talk about your experience and achievements matters. But increasingly, there is another layer that can strengthen your credibility, confidence and career positioning: what other people say about you. That's where social proof comes in. In this episode of Procurement Pivots Podcast, Donna Bowden and Laura Sellers explore the role of social proof in procurement and how it can help procurement professionals and leaders better understand, evidence and communicate the value they bring. And social proof is about much more than collecting a few LinkedIn recommendations. We explore how feedback, advocacy and evidence from the people you've worked with can strengthen the story you tell about yourself, reinforce your professional reputation and even help you recognise strengths and impact you may have started to overlook yourself. Pasted markdown Pasted markdown In this episode, we talk about: What social proof actually means in a procurement career Why knowing your value and evidencing your value are two different things The different forms of social proof you may already have Why other people's feedback can help build your own confidence How social proof can strengthen your wider career positioning and personal brand Why building an evidence bank can be so valuable throughout your procurement career How social proof can support career conversations, interviews and future opportunities The role of social proof in strengthening procurement's credibility and influence within an organisation If you've ever found it uncomfortable talking about your own achievements, questioned the value you bring, or simply haven't thought about the evidence other people could provide to support your career story, this conversation may get you thinking differently. Because sometimes the most powerful evidence of your impact isn't what you say about yourself. It's what other people say about you. Get in Touch You can now receive even more insights from us and have the opportunity to engage with us privately by joining our Procurement Pivots email community. Over the coming weeks, we'll be focusing on helping you to end 2026 on a high and think more intentionally about the year ahead. Join the Procurement Pivots email community If you'd like to explore working with Procurement Pivots Podcast, or with either of us individually, contact us at: hello@procurementpivots.com About Procurement Pivots Podcast We're passionate about supporting the people behind procurement success. Between us, we bring over 25 years of experience supporting procurement professionals and leaders in a variety of different ways. Through Procurement Pivots Podcast, we bring to life some of the conversations we're having in our coaching work around procurement careers, leadership, impact, influence and progression. About Donna Bowden Donna Bowden is a Procurement Positioning Career Coach and Founder of Narrate Your Career, supporting senior procurement professionals and leaders to better understand their value and strengthen how they position themselves for where they want to head next. A key part of Donna's career positioning work is helping clients uncover the evidence behind their value, articulate their impact and build a stronger career story, reputation and visibility. Social proof can form an important part of that wider positioning strategy. If you're a senior UK procurement professional and you'd like to explore working with Donna, you can book a confidential Career Momentum Call here: https://www.narrateyourcareer.com/book-a-call Or download Donna's Proven Procurement CV Checklist here: https://www.narrateyourcareer.com/CVchecklist About Laura Sellers Laura Sellers is an Executive and Leadership Coach, specialising in coaching for procurement professionals and teams. Drawing on her background in procurement and procurement development, she supports individuals and organisations to develop leadership capability, strengthen self-awareness and elevate their impact, influence and performance. Find out more about Laura and her work here: https://www.coachingforprocurement.co.uk/ Or get in touch with Laura directly: https://www.coachingforprocurement.co.uk/contact-me

Send us Fan Mail How interview-ready are you right now? Not when you've got an interview in the diary. Right now. Because procurement opportunities don't always arrive when you're expecting them to. An internal opportunity can come up, someone in your network can make an introduction, or an initial conversation can suddenly turn into something more. And if you haven't interviewed for a while, that can feel pretty daunting. In this episode of Procurement Pivots Podcast, Donna Bowden and Laura Sellers explore what it really takes to build interview confidence and why your preparation shouldn't necessarily start when the interview lands. We talk about why interview confidence is about much more than preparing answers to potential questions, what you can do before you even know what the opportunity might be, and some of the mindset shifts that can completely change how you approach an interview. We also explore: Why knowing your own value matters What you can prepare well before an interview Moving from interview nerves to having a conversation Why focusing too much on the competition can work against you Why an 'informal chat' might matter more than you think The mindset you take into each stage of the interview process Why becoming better at interviews can help you well beyond your job search If it's been a while since your last interview, you're considering your next procurement move, or you simply want to feel more prepared when the right opportunity comes along, this episode is for you. Get in Touch You can now receive even more insights from us and have the opportunity to engage with us privately by joining our Procurement Pivots email community. Over the coming weeks, we'll be focusing on helping you to end 2026 on a high and think more intentionally about the year ahead. Join the Procurement Pivots email community here: https://procurementpivots.com/email-list If you'd like to explore working with Procurement Pivots Podcast, or with either of us individually, you can contact us at: hello@procurementpivots.com About Procurement Pivots Podcast We're passionate about supporting the people behind procurement success. Between us, we bring over 25 years of experience supporting procurement professionals and leaders in a variety of different ways. Through Procurement Pivots Podcast, we bring to life some of the conversations we're having in our coaching work around procurement careers, leadership, impact, influence and progression. About Donna Bowden Donna Bowden is a Procurement Positioning Career Coach and Founder of Narrate Your Career, supporting senior procurement professionals and leaders to better understand their value and strengthen how they position themselves for where they want to head next. Her work includes interview coaching for senior procurement roles, helping clients get clearer on the value they bring, identify the evidence and stories that demonstrate it, and communicate this with greater confidence when the right opportunity comes along. If you're a senior UK procurement professional and you'd like to explore working with Donna, you can book a confidential Career Momentum Call here: Book a Career Momentum Call Or download Donna's Proven Procurement CV Checklist here: Download the Proven Procurement CV Checklist About Laura Sellers Laura Sellers is an Executive and Leadership Coach, specialising in coaching for procurement professionals and teams. Drawing on her background in procurement and procurement development, she supports individuals and organisations to develop leadership capability, strengthen self-awareness and elevate their impact, influence and performance. Find out more about Laura and her work here: https://www.coachingforprocurement.co.uk/ Or get in touch with Laura directly here: https://www.coachingforprocurement.co.uk/contact-me

Send us Fan Mail You already have a personal brand. The question is, does it reflect who you are today, what you want to be known for and where you're heading next in your procurement career? Personal branding can be an uncomfortable topic. It can sound loud, showy or inauthentic. But your personal brand isn't about becoming someone you're not. And it certainly isn't just about what you post on LinkedIn. It's about how people experience you, what they associate with you and what's being said about you when you're not in the room. In this episode of Procurement Pivots Podcast, Donna Bowden and Laura Sellers explore what personal branding really means for procurement professionals and leaders, and why it matters both inside your organisation and across the wider procurement market. Because as your career evolves, your personal brand needs to evolve with it. Sometimes, without even realising it, we can outgrow the brand we've built. In this episode, we explore: What personal branding really means in procurement Why you already have a personal brand, whether you've intentionally created it or not Why personal branding doesn't have to mean being loud or constantly visible The importance of authenticity in how you show up How your personal brand can evolve as your career and leadership evolve How to decide what you most want to be known for Why taking control of your own career narrative matters How your CV, LinkedIn presence, meetings, conversations and everyday interactions all contribute to your personal brand Why consistency helps build trust and strengthen your reputation How your personal brand can influence the opportunities, projects and conversations that come your way Your personal brand isn't about creating a polished version of yourself for other people. It's about becoming more intentional about what you want to be known for and making sure the way you show up reinforces it. So, what are you known for today? And is that what you want to be known for in the next phase of your procurement career? Get in Touch If this episode got you thinking about your own personal brand, we'd love to hear what you want to be known for. You can now receive even more insights from us and have the opportunity to engage with us privately by joining our Procurement Pivots email community. Over the coming weeks, we'll be focusing on helping you make the most of the final part of 2026, end the year on a high and head into 2027 with greater clarity and confidence. Join us here: https://procurementpivots.com/email-list If you'd like to explore working with Procurement Pivots Podcast, or with either of us individually, you can contact us at: hello@procurementpivots.com About Procurement Pivots Podcast We are passionate about supporting the people behind procurement success. Between us, we bring over 25 years of experience supporting procurement leaders in a variety of different ways, combining our diverse coaching expertise to bring to life the conversations from the coaching room that deserve a spotlight in today's challenging and ever-changing procurement landscape. From procurement career positioning, visibility and career progression, through to leadership development, influence and navigating change, we've supported procurement professionals across every stage of their journey. Because success in procurement isn't just about what you deliver. It's about how you show up, how you're perceived and how you create opportunities. About Donna Bowden Donna Bowden is a Procurement Positioning Career Coach and Founder of Narrate Your Career, supporting senior procurement professionals and leaders to strengthen how they position themselves for where they want to head next. Personal branding forms an important part of Donna's wider career positioning work, helping clients become clearer about what they want to be known for and ensure their CV, LinkedIn presence, visibility, relationships and reputation consistently reinforce their value. If you're a senior UK procurement professional and would like to explore working with Donna, you can book a confidential Career Momentum Call here: https://www.narrateyourcareer.com/book-a-call Or download Donna's Proven Procurement CV Checklist here: https://www.narrateyourcareer.com/CVchecklist About Laura Sellers Laura Sellers is an Executive and Leadership Coach specialising in procurement professionals and teams. Drawing on her background in procurement and procurement development, she supports individuals and organisations to strengthen leadership capability, self-awareness, confidence and coaching skills to elevate their impact, influence and performance. Laura works with procurement leaders, professionals and teams to navigate leadership challenges, develop their capability and create greater impact within their organisations. Find out more about Laura and her work here: https://www.coachingforprocurement.co.uk/ Or get in touch with Laura directly: https://www.coachingforprocurement.co.uk/contact-me

Send us Fan Mail There are 100 days to go until the end of 2026. How do you want to feel when you get there? And how do you want to step into 2027? September can bring a renewed sense of energy. But it doesn't always last long. Workloads increase, demands return and before you know it, you're back in the day-to-day with the end of the year approaching quickly. In this episode of Procurement Pivots Podcast, Donna Bowden and Laura Sellers explore how procurement professionals and leaders can use the final 100 days of 2026 to pause, reflect on the year so far and become more intentional about their career, leadership and priorities for the months ahead. Because 100 days is still a significant amount of time. Whether 2026 has gone exactly as you'd hoped, taken an unexpected turn, or there are things in your procurement career or role that you still want to change, there is time to make meaningful progress and set yourself up well for 2027. Rather than immediately focusing on everything you haven't done, Donna and Laura encourage you to start by recognising what has already happened. What are you proud of? What have you enjoyed? What have you learned? What challenges have you overcome? And what does that tell you about what you want more of in your career? In this episode, we explore: Why looking back can be an important part of moving your procurement career forward The questions to ask yourself as you reflect on 2026 so far Why career reflection should go beyond targets, projects and achievements What's giving you energy in your career and what's draining it How you want to feel when you reach the end of 2026 What would make you feel pleased, proud or delighted with how the year ends Identifying what could get in the way over the next 100 days What you might want to finish, change or leave behind in 2026 How to turn your career goals and priorities into manageable milestones The role of writing things down, sharing your intentions and creating accountability Why recognising smaller wins can build confidence and self-belief How the progress you make now can create greater career momentum for 2027 Because this isn't about putting yourself under more pressure to achieve a huge list of goals before 31 December. It's about being intentional. A lot can happen in 100 days. And the small, consistent actions you take now could change not only how you feel when you look back on 2026, but how you approach your procurement career and the opportunities ahead in 2027. Get in Touch If this episode resonated, we'd love to hear what you're working towards over the final 100 days of 2026. Go to www.procurementpivots.com/email-list to join our email community packed full of insights and tips to help you maximise these next 100 days and beyond. If you'd like to explore working with Procurement Pivots Podcast, or with either of us individually, you can contact us at: hello@procurementpivots.com About the Procurement Pivots Podcast We are passionate about supporting the people behind procurement success. Between us, we bring over 25 years of experience supporting procurement leaders in a variety of different ways, combining our diverse coaching expertise to bring to life the conversations from the coaching room that deserve a spotlight in today's challenging and ever-changing procurement landscape. We're proud to have built strong reputations as trusted coaches in the procurement space, supporting individuals and teams to navigate complexity, strengthen their leadership and progress with greater clarity and confidence. From procurement career positioning, visibility and career progression, through to leadership development, influence and navigating change, we've supported procurement professionals across every stage of their journey. Because success in procurement isn't just about what you deliver. It's about how you show up, how you're perceived and how you create opportunities. About Donna Bowden Donna Bowden is a Procurement Positioning Career Coach and Founder of Narrate Your Career, supporting senior procurement professionals and procurement leaders to understand and articulate their value, strengthen their career positioning and create the right opportunities for where they want to head next. With over 20 years' experience supporting careers and a background in senior procurement recruitment, Donna combines deep knowledge of the procurement job market with career coaching to help senior procurement professionals build greater clarity, confidence, visibility and momentum. Her work spans procurement career positioning, career direction, CVs, LinkedIn positioning, job-search strategy, networking, visibility and interview preparation, helping senior procurement professionals position themselves effectively for their next career move. If you're a senior UK procurement professional considering your next role or career move and would like to explore working with Donna, you can book a confidential Career Momentum Call here: https://www.narrateyourcareer.com/book-a-call And if securing a new procurement role is part of your plans for the rest of 2026 or into 2027, you can download Donna's Proven Procurement CV Checklist here: https://www.narrateyourcareer.com/CVchecklist About Laura Sellers Laura Sellers is an Executive and Leadership Coach specialising in procurement professionals and teams. Drawing on her background in procurement and procurement development, she supports individuals and organisations to strengthen leadership capability, self-awareness, confidence and coaching skills to elevate their impact, influence and performance. Laura works with procurement leaders, professionals and teams to navigate leadership challenges, develop their capability and create greater impact within their organisations. Find out more about Laura and her work here: https://www.coachingforprocurement.co.uk/ Or get in touch with Laura directly: https://www.coachingforprocurement.co.uk/contact-me

Send us Fan Mail The procurement job market has changed. Competition for senior procurement roles has increased, hiring processes have evolved and technology is playing a greater role in how applications are screened. Which means the CV that successfully opened doors for you two, three or four years ago might not be enough to secure an interview today. In this episode of Procurement Pivots, Donna Bowden and Laura Sellers explore what senior procurement professionals need to think differently about when it comes to their CV in 2026. Drawing on Donna's experience of reviewing thousands of procurement CVs since moving into procurement recruitment in 2013, alongside the CV work she now does with senior procurement clients, they unpack some of the most common reasons even experienced and highly capable procurement leaders can struggle to stand out on paper. We discuss: Why a professionally written CV can still struggle to cut through in today's procurement market Why your CV shouldn't read like a job description The difference between describing what you've done and demonstrating the impact you've had Why results and metrics need context if you want the reader to understand their significance Why you can't expect a hiring manager or recruiter to join the dots for you How to bring more of your personality, leadership style and individual approach onto the page Why trying to showcase everything you're good at can actually dilute your positioning How to identify and elevate the two or three strengths you really want to be known for Why senior procurement professionals often downplay their achievements and value How to communicate your successes without feeling as though you're bragging Why your CV should be treated as a positioning tool rather than an administrative task How doing the deeper work behind your CV can strengthen your confidence and interview performance Why AI can sometimes make your CV blend in rather than stand out How to use AI as a tool without allowing it to take over your voice Why your CV needs to communicate where you're heading next, not simply where you've been And why, however strong it is, your CV alone isn't a job-search strategy Because in a crowded senior procurement market, simply having the right experience isn't enough. Your CV needs to help someone quickly understand your value, your impact, what differentiates you and why you make sense for where you're heading next. And even then, it's only one part of how you position yourself to create and secure the right opportunities. Get in Touch If this episode resonated, we'd love to hear your thoughts. When did you last look at your CV through the eyes of the person you're hoping will read it? If you'd like to explore working with Procurement Pivots, or with either of us individually, you can contact us at: hello@procurementpivots.com About Procurement Pivots We are passionate about supporting the people behind procurement success. Between us, we bring over 25 years of experience supporting procurement leaders in a variety of different ways, combining our diverse coaching expertise to bring to life the conversations from the coaching room that deserve a spotlight in today's challenging and ever-changing procurement landscape. We're proud to have built strong reputations as trusted coaches in the procurement space, supporting individuals and teams to navigate complexity, strengthen their leadership and progress with greater clarity and confidence. From positioning, visibility and career progression, through to leadership development, influence and navigating change, we've supported procurement professionals across every stage of their journey. Because success in procurement isn't just about what you deliver. It's about how you show up, how you're perceived and how you create opportunities. About Donna Bowden Donna Bowden is a Procurement Career Coach and Founder of Narrate Your Career, supporting senior procurement professionals to build clarity, confidence and visibility in their careers. With over 20 years' experience in procurement leadership hiring, she brings deep insight into what hiring managers are really looking for and how to position yourself effectively to identify, create and secure the right opportunities in your procurement career. If this resonates and you're a procurement leader in the UK who is serious about making a considered and intentional next move, you're very welcome to explore working with Donna here: https://www.narrateyourcareer.com/book-a-call Download Donna's Free Proven Procurement CV Checklist here: https://www.narrateyourcareer.com/CVchecklist About Laura Sellers Laura Sellers is an Executive and Leadership Coach, specialising in coaching for procurement professionals and teams. Drawing on her background in procurement and procurement development, she supports individuals and organisations to develop leadership capability, strengthen self-awareness and build coaching skills that elevate their impact, influence and performance. Laura also leads an ILM-accredited coaching centre, helping procurement professionals and organisations develop practical coaching capability and gain recognised ILM coaching qualifications that strengthen leadership and create lasting impact across their teams. Interested in developing your own coaching skills? Laura's next ILM coaching qualification cohort starts in September. Find out more about Laura's ILM coaching qualifications here: https://www.coachingforprocurement.co.uk/training Or get in touch with Laura directly here: https://www.coachingforprocurement.co.uk/contact-me

Send us Fan Mail Procurement leadership, workplace boundaries, strategic leadership, career progression, prioritisation and high performance are more closely connected than you might think. When we talk about boundaries at work, they're often associated with saying no, being less available or protecting our personal time. But what if better boundaries could actually help you become a more impactful procurement leader? In this episode of Procurement Pivots, Donna Bowden and Laura Sellers explore why boundaries aren't simply about doing less. Used well, they can create the clarity, focus and space you need to operate more strategically, make better decisions and deliver greater impact. We discuss: Why boundaries are about far more than simply saying no Why the desire to add value and prove procurement's worth can make boundaries particularly difficult The relationship between boundaries, prioritisation and your ability to operate strategically Why creating space to think can ultimately improve your decisions and outcomes How to recognise the red flags that suggest you're repeatedly crossing your own boundaries Why frustration can be a sign that your boundaries, or even your values, are being compromised How repeatedly going above and beyond can turn an exception into an expectation Why being the busiest and most dependable person doesn't necessarily make you the obvious choice for progression How managing your workload and priorities can help you appear more in control and ready to take on greater responsibility Why boundaries can help procurement leaders move from operational busyness towards greater strategic impact How boundaries can give you greater control when so much around you feels outside your control Why your boundaries need to evolve as your role, career and life evolve Because more busyness doesn't necessarily mean more impact. And it doesn't automatically lead to bigger and better opportunities. Strong boundaries can help you become clearer about what matters, communicate expectations more effectively and create the conditions for both high performance and a sustainable procurement career. Get in Touch If this episode resonated, we'd love to hear your thoughts. What boundaries have made the biggest difference to your impact, career or life? And which ones are still a work in progress? If you'd like to explore working with Procurement Pivots, or with either of us individually, you can contact us at: hello@procurementpivots.com About Procurement Pivots We are passionate about supporting the people behind procurement success. Between us, we bring over 25 years of experience supporting procurement leaders in a variety of different ways, combining our diverse coaching expertise to bring to life the conversations from the coaching room that deserve a spotlight in today's challenging and ever-changing procurement landscape. We're proud to have built strong reputations as trusted coaches in the procurement space, supporting individuals and teams to navigate complexity, strengthen their leadership and progress with greater clarity and confidence. From positioning, visibility and career progression, through to leadership development, influence and navigating change, we've supported procurement professionals across every stage of their journey. Because success in procurement isn't just about what you deliver. It's about how you show up, how you're perceived and how you create opportunities. About Donna Bowden Donna Bowden is a Procurement Career Coach and Founder of Narrate Your Career, supporting senior procurement professionals to build clarity, confidence and visibility in their careers. With over 20 years' experience in procurement leadership hiring, she brings deep insight into what hiring managers are really looking for and how to position yourself effectively to identify, create and secure the right opportunities in your procurement career. If this resonates and you're a procurement leader in the UK who is serious about making a considered and intentional next move, you're very welcome to explore working with Donna here: https://www.narrateyourcareer.com/book-a-call About Laura Sellers Laura Sellers is an Executive and Leadership Coach, specialising in coaching for procurement professionals and teams. Drawing on her background in procurement and procurement development, she supports individuals and organisations to develop leadership capability, strengthen self-awareness and build coaching skills that elevate their impact, influence and performance. Laura also leads an ILM-accredited coaching centre, helping procurement professionals and organisations develop practical coaching capability and gain recognised ILM coaching qualifications that strengthen leadership and create lasting impact across their teams. Interested in developing your own coaching skills? Laura's next ILM coaching qualification cohort starts in September. Find out more about Laura's ILM coaching qualifications here: https://www.coachingforprocurement.co.uk/training Or get in touch with Laura directly here: https://www.coachingforprocurement.co.uk/contact-me

Send us Fan Mail Procurement careers, career crossroads, career clarity, procurement leadership, career change and senior procurement job search can all collide at a point that many successful procurement leaders simply aren't expecting. On paper, everything might look good. You've built a successful procurement career. You're operating at leadership level. You're in a good organisation, perhaps with a team you enjoy working with. But something doesn't feel quite right anymore. You know you're ready for something different, or perhaps something more, but you're not entirely sure what that looks like yet. And when there isn't an obvious reason to leave, that uncertainty can be surprisingly difficult to navigate. In this episode of Procurement Pivots, Donna Bowden and Laura Sellers explore the procurement career crossroads that no one really prepares you for and how to navigate it with greater clarity, confidence and intention. We discuss: Why career crossroads can appear even when everything looks good on paper How changes in your life, priorities and values can change what you need from your career The danger of drifting through a successful career without consciously choosing where you're heading The early signs that something in your career may no longer be serving you Why career clarity doesn't start with your CV, job boards or the external market How understanding your strengths, values and what energises you can help uncover the right direction Why there's an important difference between responding to a crossroads and reacting to one How rushing into applications before you're clear can actually knock your confidence further Why the right answer isn't necessarily leaving your organisation, or even your current role How clarity helps you become more selective about what you say yes and no to Why people buy into your certainty, particularly at procurement leadership level The importance of understanding the why behind the what when deciding what comes next Because being at a career crossroads doesn't necessarily mean you need to leave. It might mean you need to pause long enough to understand what's changed, what matters to you now and what you really want your next chapter to look like. Clarity gives you back choice. And choice allows you to move forward intentionally. Get in Touch If this episode resonated, we'd love to hear your thoughts. If you'd like to explore working with Procurement Pivots, or with either of us individually, you can contact us at: hello@procurementpivots.com At a crossroads in your own procurement career? If you're a senior procurement leader in the UK and would like to explore how Donna could support you to get clear on what comes next and position yourself to make it happen, you can book a confidential Career Momentum Call here: https://www.narrateyourcareer.com/book-a-call About Procurement Pivots We are passionate about supporting the people behind procurement success. Between us, we bring over 25 years of experience supporting procurement leaders in a variety of different ways, combining our diverse coaching expertise to bring to life the conversations from the coaching room that deserve a spotlight in today's challenging and ever-changing procurement landscape. We're proud to have built strong reputations as trusted coaches in the procurement space, supporting individuals and teams to navigate complexity, strengthen their leadership and progress with greater clarity and confidence. From positioning, visibility and career progression, through to leadership development, influence and navigating change, we've supported procurement professionals across every stage of their journey. Because success in procurement isn't just about what you deliver. It's about how you show up, how you're perceived and how you create opportunities. About Donna Bowden Donna Bowden is a Procurement Career Coach and Founder of Narrate Your Career, supporting senior procurement professionals to build clarity, confidence and visibility in their careers. With over 20 years' experience in procurement leadership hiring, she brings deep insight into what hiring managers are really looking for and how to position yourself effectively to identify, create and secure the right opportunities in your procurement career. If this episode resonates and you're a procurement leader in the UK who is serious about making a considered and intentional next move, you're very welcome to explore working with Donna here: https://www.narrateyourcareer.com/book-a-call About Laura Sellers Laura Sellers is an Executive and Leadership Coach, specialising in coaching for procurement professionals and teams. Drawing on her background in procurement and procurement development, she supports individuals and organisations to develop leadership capability, strengthen self-awareness and build coaching skills that elevate their impact, influence and performance. Laura also leads an ILM-accredited coaching centre, helping procurement professionals and organisations develop practical coaching capability and gain recognised ILM coaching qualifications that strengthen leadership and create lasting impact across their teams. Interested in developing your own coaching skills? Laura's next ILM coaching qualification cohort starts in September. Find out more about Laura's ILM coaching qualifications here: https://www.coachingforprocurement.co.uk/training Or get in touch with Laura directly here: https://www.coachingforprocurement.co.uk/contact-me

Send us Fan Mail Successful Traits of Procurement Leaders: Coaching Procurement transformation, procurement leadership, coaching skills, stakeholder management, influencing skills and leadership development are increasingly interconnected. Successful procurement transformation isn't just about having the right strategy, processes, technology or technical procurement expertise. You also need to bring people with you. In this episode of Procurement Pivots, Donna Bowden and Laura Sellers explore why developing coaching skills can give procurement leaders a competitive edge and help them create greater impact across their teams, stakeholders and organisations. We challenge the perception that coaching is simply a "soft" leadership skill and look at how the capabilities behind great coaching can translate into very real procurement and commercial outcomes. We discuss: Why coaching skills are increasingly relevant for today's procurement leaders Why you don't need to have all the answers to demonstrate credibility as a leader How asking better questions can strengthen your influence and impact Why procurement transformation requires you to bring people with you How coaching skills can help overcome resistance and create greater stakeholder buy-in The connection between coaching, stakeholder relationships and commercial outcomes How active listening, self-awareness and adaptability can strengthen your negotiation skills Why many procurement leaders may already be coaching without recognising it How developing your coaching skills can change not only how you lead others, but how you lead yourself The difference between using coaching skills informally and developing them more intentionally through training and reflective practice Because successful procurement transformation isn't only about what you change. It's also about how effectively you can engage, influence and enable the people who will ultimately make that transformation happen. Get in Touch If this episode resonated, we'd love to hear your thoughts. If you'd like to explore working with Procurement Pivots, or with either of us individually, you can contact us at: hello@procurementpivots.com Interested in developing your own coaching skills? Laura's next ILM coaching qualification cohort starts in September, for procurement professionals who want to add coaching skills to their leadership toolkit. Find out more about Laura's ILM coaching qualifications here: https://www.coachingforprocurement.co.uk/training About Procurement Pivots We are passionate about supporting the people behind procurement success. Between us, we bring over 25 years of experience supporting procurement leaders in a variety of different ways, combining our diverse coaching expertise to bring to life the conversations from the coaching room that deserve a spotlight in today's challenging and ever-changing procurement landscape. We're proud to have built strong reputations as trusted coaches in the procurement space, supporting individuals and teams to navigate complexity, strengthen their leadership and progress with greater clarity and confidence. From positioning, visibility and career progression, through to leadership development, influence and navigating change, we've supported procurement professionals across every stage of their journey. Because success in procurement isn't just about what you deliver. It's about how you show up, how you're perceived and how you create opportunities. About Donna Bowden Donna Bowden is a Procurement Career Coach and Founder of Narrate Your Career, supporting senior procurement professionals to build clarity, confidence and visibility in their careers. With over 20 years' experience in procurement leadership hiring, she brings deep insight into what hiring managers are really looking for and how to position yourself effectively to identify, create and secure the right opportunities in your procurement career. If this resonates and you're a procurement leader in the UK who is serious about making a considered and intentional next move, you're very welcome to explore working with Donna here: https://www.narrateyourcareer.com/book-a-call About Laura Sellers Laura Sellers is an Executive and Leadership Coach, specialising in coaching for procurement professionals and teams. Drawing on her background in procurement and procurement development, she supports individuals and organisations to develop leadership capability, strengthen self-awareness and build coaching skills that elevate their impact, influence and performance. Laura also leads an ILM-accredited coaching centre, helping procurement professionals and organisations develop practical coaching capability and gain recognised ILM coaching qualifications that strengthen leadership and create lasting impact across their teams. If this episode has got you thinking about adding coaching skills to your own leadership toolkit, Laura's next ILM coaching qualification cohort starts in September. Find out more about Laura's ILM coaching qualifications here: https://www.coachingforprocurement.co.uk/training Or get in touch with Laura directly here: https://www.coachingforprocurement.co.uk/contact-me

Send us Fan Mail Procurement stakeholder management, stakeholder relationships, procurement leadership, influence, business partnering and procurement careers are all critical to becoming a successful procurement leader. Strong stakeholder relationships don't happen by chance. They're built through trust, curiosity, credibility and consistency. In this episode of Procurement Pivots, we explore what successful procurement leaders do differently when it comes to building relationships and influence across their organisations. Whilst technical procurement skills remain important, your ability to understand, engage and influence stakeholders will often determine your long-term success as a leader. We discuss: Why successful stakeholder relationships start long before you need something The difference between managing stakeholders and genuinely building relationships How curiosity helps you understand what really matters to your stakeholders Why listening is one of the most underrated leadership skills in procurement How adapting your communication style builds trust and credibility Why consistency in your actions shapes your reputation over time The importance of understanding your stakeholders' priorities, pressures and motivations How every interaction contributes to procurement's reputation within the business Why influence is built through credibility, empathy and adding value, not authority Practical ways to strengthen your stakeholder relationships and increase your impact as a procurement leader This episode builds on many of the themes we explore around procurement leadership, influence and career progression. Because successful procurement leaders don't just manage stakeholders. They build trusted relationships that create lasting influence. New episodes weekly Listen on Apple and Spotify. Watch on YouTube: Procurement Pivots. Get in Touch If 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 hello@procurementpivots.com About Procurement Pivots We are passionate about supporting the people behind procurement success. Between us, we bring over 25 years of experience supporting procurement leaders in a variety of different ways, and we combine our diverse coaching expertise to bring to life the conversations from the coaching room that deserve a spotlight in today's challenging and ever-changing procurement landscape. We're proud to have built strong reputations as trusted coaches in the procurement space, supporting individuals and teams to navigate complexity, strengthen their leadership and progress with greater clarity and confidence. From positioning, visibility and career progression, through to leadership development, influence and navigating change, we've supported procurement professionals across every stage of their journey. Because success in procurement isn't just about what you deliver. It's about how you show up, how you're perceived and how you create opportunities. About Donna Bowden Donna Bowden is a Procurement Career Coach and Founder of Narrate Your Career, supporting senior procurement professionals to build clarity, confidence and visibility in their careers. With over 20 years' experience in procurement leadership hiring, she brings deep insight into what hiring managers are really looking for and how to position yourself effectively to identify, create and secure the right opportunities in your procurement career. If this resonates and you're a procurement leader in the UK who is serious about making a considered and intentional next move, you're very welcome to explore working with Donna here: https://www.narrateyourcareer.com/book-a-call About Laura Sellers Laura Sellers is an Executive and Leadership Coach, specialising in coaching for procurement professionals and teams. Drawing on her background in procurement and procurement development, she supports individuals and organisations to develop leadership capability, strengthen self-awareness and build coaching skills that elevate their impact, influence and performance. Laura also leads an ILM-accredited coaching centre, helping procurement professionals and organisations develop practical coaching capability and gain recognised ILM coaching qualifications that strengthen leadership and create lasting impact across their teams. If you're a procurement professional or organisation looking to develop coaching and leadership capability, or explore an ILM coaching qualification, you can connect with Laura here: https://www.coachingforprocurement.co.uk/contact-me

Send us Fan Mail Procurement leadership, first 90 days, stepping into a new role, procurement career progression, stakeholder management and leadership success are all critical factors when moving into a new procurement leadership role. You’ve secured the role. But what you do next will define your success. In this episode of Procurement Pivots, we explore how to successfully prepare for and step into a new procurement leadership role, focusing on what really matters in those first few months. Too often, procurement professionals invest heavily in securing the role, only to leave their transition and early impact to chance. This is where success is either accelerated or undermined. We discuss: How your first impressions shape your credibility with your boss, team and stakeholders Why stepping into a new role is an opportunity to reset how you show up as a leader The importance of understanding team dynamics, legacy and stakeholder expectations Why the reality of the role often differs from what you were told in the process How to assess the maturity of the function and identify the real starting point The mental stretch and transition that comes with stepping into a new leadership role How to set boundaries early to protect your time, energy and decision-making The risk of trying to prove yourself too quickly and saying yes to everything Why alignment with your boss and stakeholders is critical, and how to check it effectively The importance of building support around you, not just focusing on supporting others This episode builds on many of the themes we explore around procurement leadership, visibility and career progression. Because success in procurement isn’t just about securing the role. It’s about how you show up once you’re in it. New episodes weekly Listen on Apple and Spotify Watch on YouTube: Procurement Pivots Get in touch If 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 hello@procurementpivots.com About Procurement Pivots We are passionate about supporting the people behind procurement success. Between us, we bring over 25 years of experience supporting procurement leaders in a variety of different ways, and we combine our diverse coaching expertise to bring to life the conversations from the coaching room that deserve a spotlight in today’s challenging and ever-changing procurement landscape. We’re proud to have built strong reputations as trusted coaches in the procurement space, supporting individuals and teams to navigate complexity, strengthen their leadership and progress with greater clarity and confidence. From positioning, visibility and career progression, through to leadership development, influence and navigating change, we’ve supported procurement professionals across every stage of their journey. Because success in procurement isn’t just about what you deliver. It’s about how you show up, how you’re perceived and how you create opportunities. About Donna Bowden Donna Bowden is a Procurement Career Coach and Founder of Narrate Your Career, supporting senior procurement professionals to build clarity, confidence and visibility in their careers. With over 20 years’ experience as a recruitment leader, she brings deep insight into what hiring managers are really looking for and how to position yourself effectively to identify, create and secure the right opportunities in your procurement career. If this resonates and you’re a procurement leader in the UK who is serious about making a considered and intentional next move, you’re very welcome to explore working with Donna here: https://www.narrateyourcareer.com/book-a-call About Laura Sellers Laura Sellers is an Executive and Leadership Coach, specialising in coaching for procurement professionals and teams. She supports individuals and organisations to develop leadership capability, strengthen self-awareness and build coaching skills that elevate their impact and influence. Laura also leads an ILM-accredited coaching centre, supporting procurement professionals to gain recognised coaching qualifications and develop practical coaching capability within their teams. If you’re a procurement professional or team looking to develop coaching and leadership capability, or explore gaining an ILM coaching qualification, you can connect with Laura to find out more. https://www.coachingforprocurement.co.uk/contact-me

Send us Fan Mail Successful Traits of Procurement Leaders: Curiosity Curiosity is a critical skill in procurement leadership, yet many procurement professionals don’t fully understand how to apply it in their day-to-day role. In this episode of Procurement Pivots, we explore how curiosity, questioning and self-awareness can elevate your procurement career, strengthen stakeholder relationships and improve decision making. We discuss: What curiosity really looks like in a procurement context and why it goes beyond simply asking more questions How asking the right questions can improve decision making, stakeholder relationships and business outcomes Why many procurement professionals feel the pressure to have the answers, and how this can limit their effectiveness The difference between open and closed questions, and how to use them more intentionally in meetings and conversations How curiosity helps you uncover what really matters, rather than accepting surface-level information The role of curiosity in building trust, collaboration and influence across the business Why curiosity starts with self, including understanding your own behaviours, reactions and decision making How self-awareness and curiosity work together to strengthen your leadership capability Practical ways to build curiosity as a habit in your day-to-day procurement role This episode builds on many of the themes we’ve explored around procurement leadership, influence and career progression. Because the most effective procurement leaders aren’t always the ones with the answers. They’re the ones asking the right questions. 🎧 New episodes weekly Listen on Apple and Spotify Watch on YouTube: Procurement Pivots Get in Touch If 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 hello@procurementpivots.com About Procurement Pivots We are passionate about supporting the people behind procurement success. Between us, we bring over 25 years of experience supporting procurement leaders in a variety of different ways, and we combine our diverse coaching expertise to bring to life the conversations from the coaching room that deserve a spotlight in today’s challenging and ever-changing procurement landscape. Over the past few years, we’ve built strong reputations as trusted coaches in the procurement space, supporting individuals and teams to navigate complexity, strengthen their leadership and progress with greater clarity and confidence. From positioning, visibility and career progression, through to leadership development, influence and navigating change, we’ve supported procurement professionals across every stage of their journey. Because success in procurement isn’t just about what you deliver. It’s about how you show up, how you’re perceived and how you create opportunities. About Donna Bowden Donna Bowden is a Procurement Career Coach and Founder of Narrate Your Career, supporting senior procurement professionals to build clarity, confidence and visibility in their careers. With over 20 years’ experience as a recruitment leader, she brings deep insight into what hiring managers are really looking for and how to position yourself effectively to identify, create and secure the right opportunities in your procurement career. If this resonates and you’re a procurement leader in the UK, you’re very welcome to explore working with Donna here: https://www.narrateyourcareer.com/book-a-call About Laura Sellers Laura Sellers is an Executive and Leadership Coach, specialising in coaching for procurement professionals. She supports individuals and teams to strengthen self-awareness, develop leadership capability and lead with greater impact, influence and confidence. Laura also leads an ILM-accredited coaching centre, supporting procurement professionals to gain recognised coaching qualifications and develop practical coaching skills within their roles. If you’d like to explore developing your coaching and leadership skills through an ILM-accredited programme, you can connect with Laura to find out more. https://www.coachingforprocurement.co.uk/contact-me

Send us Fan Mail Successful Traits of Procurement Leaders: Self-Awareness How you see yourself isn’t always how others experience you. And that gap can have a significant impact on your procurement career, career progression and leadership development. In this episode of Procurement Pivots, we explore the role self-awareness plays in procurement leadership and why it is such a critical, but often overlooked, capability. We discuss: What self-awareness really means in a procurement leadership context Why there is often a gap between intent and perception How others may experience your communication, behaviour and leadership style The impact of low self-awareness on relationships, visibility and progression Why feedback is essential, but often avoided How self-awareness shapes your leadership presence and credibility The role it plays in managing stakeholders and teams effectively Why it becomes even more important as you progress into more senior roles How small shifts in awareness can have a meaningful impact on how you lead This episode builds on many of the themes we’ve explored around visibility, positioning and progression in procurement careers. Because how you show up matters. And how others experience you matters even more. 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 If 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 hello@procurementpivots.com

Send us Fan Mail Your relationship with your boss is one of the most important factors in your procurement career, career progression and leadership development. And yet, it’s often not given the attention it deserves. In this episode of Procurement Pivots, we explore why this relationship has such a significant impact on your experience, progression and long-term career decisions. We discuss: Why this relationship can influence whether you stay or leave a role Why most relationships aren’t broken, but still aren’t working well enough The importance of taking time to reflect on what you need How clarity and alignment shape a strong working relationship Why communication style is often the root of the challenge The role your boss plays in advocating for you internally Why you need to take ownership of building and shaping the relationship The importance of understanding the pressures your boss is under Why knowing your non-negotiables matters How building a wider support network can strengthen your position This episode builds on many of the themes we’ve explored around visibility, positioning and progression in procurement careers. Because doing a great job isn’t always enough. The relationship around you matters more than you might think. 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

Send us Fan Mail 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 misunderstood Why many procurement professionals identify with introverted preferences The pressure to “speak up more” and how that shows up in procurement environments How to prepare for meetings in a way that plays to your strengths Practical ways to contribute in meetings without needing all the answers How asking questions and making observations can increase your influence How to be visible and credible without being the loudest voice This 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 Procurement New episodes weekly Listen on Apple and Spotify Watch on YouTube: Procurement Pivots If 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 hello@procurementpivots.com

Send us Fan Mail 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 evolve The pressure to constantly prove value and why this adds to the challenge Why burnout is not just about long hours or workload How misalignment and the wrong environment can lead to burnout over time The impact of isolation, particularly at more senior levels Early warning signs including decision fatigue, withdrawal and changes in behaviour How burnout affects confidence, relationships and decision making What to look out for in your team as a leader Why high performers can often be most at risk The importance of recognising the signs early and taking action This 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 Procurement New episodes weekly Listen on Apple and Spotify Watch on YouTube: Procurement Pivots If this episode resonated, we’d love to hear from you. You can message us directly or connect via the Procurement Pivots LinkedIn page.

Send us Fan Mail 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 performance How your communication, consistency and contribution shape your positioning Why you need to be seen operating at the next level before you are promoted The importance of visibility with the right people, not just more visibility How internal opportunities are often created before they are advertised The role of relationships, sponsorship and advocacy in progression Why curiosity and cross-functional exposure can open new doors How to have the right conversations about your future without signalling that you want to leave What it means to be opportunity ready and why it matters This 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 Procurement New episodes weekly Listen on Apple and Spotify Watch on YouTube: Procurement Pivots If this episode resonated, we’d love to hear from you. You can message us directly or connect via the Procurement Pivots LinkedIn page.

Send us Fan Mail 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 up This 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 Procurement New episodes weekly Listen on Apple and Spotify Watch on YouTube: Procurement Pivots If this episode resonated, we’d love to hear from you. You can message us directly or connect via the Procurement Pivots LinkedIn page.