Procurement Pivots®

Donna Bowden & Laura Sellers
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Honest conversations and fresh perspectives to help procurement professionals, wherever you are in your career. Navigate change, grow with confidence and shape a career on your terms.Co-hosted by Donna Bowden (Procurement Career Coach, Founder of Narrate Your Career) and Laura Sellers (Executive & Leadership Coach, Founder of Coaching for Procurement) who bring a combined 20+ years of supporting procurement growth

  1. EP 49: Giving Feedback as a Procurement Leader to Drive Impact

    2 days ago

    EP 49: Giving Feedback as a Procurement Leader to Drive Impact

    Send us Fan Mail 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 Procurement New episodes weekly: Listen on Apple and Spotify Watch on YouTube: Procurement Pivots Follow us on LinkedIn: Procurement Pivots Are you giving the feedback your team and stakeholders actually need… or avoiding it?

    29 min
  2. EP 48: The Feedback Gap: The Dangerous Truth About Where You Stand

    8 June

    EP 48: The Feedback Gap: The Dangerous Truth About Where You Stand

    Send us Fan Mail 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 Procurement New episodes weekly: Listen on Apple and Spotify Watch on YouTube: Procurement Pivots Follow us on LinkedIn: Procurement Pivots Do 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.

    26 min
  3. EP 47: The Truth About “Underperforming” Procurement Teams

    1 June

    EP 47: The Truth About “Underperforming” Procurement Teams

    Send us Fan Mail “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 Takeaways 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 momentumHosted 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 Are you seeing underperformance… or something else? Message us via the Procurement Pivots LinkedIn page or reach out to Donna or Laura directly.

    23 min
  4. EP 46: The Most Important Question in Your Procurement Career

    25 May

    EP 46: The Most Important Question in Your Procurement Career

    Send us Fan Mail “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 Procurement New episodes weekly: Listen on Apple and Spotify Watch on YouTube: Procurement Pivots Follow us on LinkedIn: Procurement Pivots How are you currently answering “Tell me about yourself”? Message us via the Procurement Pivots LinkedIn page or reach out to Donna or Laura directly.

    23 min
  5. EP 45: The Uncomfortable Truth About Procurement Career Growth

    18 May

    EP 45: The Uncomfortable Truth About Procurement Career Growth

    Send us Fan Mail 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 Procurement New episodes weekly: Listen on Apple and Spotify Watch on YouTube: Procurement Pivots Follow us on LinkedIn: Procurement Pivots What 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.

    20 min
  6. EP 44: The Procurement Development Gap and How to Close It

    11 May

    EP 44: The Procurement Development Gap and How to Close It

    Send us Fan Mail 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 careers What the Procurement Development Gap really looks like > The difference between evolving role expectations and personal capability building How to carry out a meaningful gap analysis > Identifying where you are now, where you want to go and what may be holding you back Why progression is often about leadership presence, influence and impact > Not just technical or category expertise Avoiding overwhelm in an age of information overload > How to prioritise what will genuinely move the needle The ROI of investing in your own professional development > Considering time, energy and financial investment with intention How to build a business case for support > Why development conversations can form part of annual reviews, salary discussions and retention strategies The power of accountability and aligned support > From coaching and mentoring to peer conversations and targeted learning Takeaways 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 Procurement New episodes weekly: Listen on Apple and Spotify Watch on YouTube: Procurement Pivots Follow us on LinkedIn: Procurement Pivots What development gap are you currently closing in your procurement career? Message us via the Procurement Pivots LinkedIn page or reach out to Donna or Laura directly.

    36 min
  7. EP 43: Speak to Be Seen: How Procurement Professionals Gain Influence

    4 May

    EP 43: Speak to Be Seen: How Procurement Professionals Gain Influence

    Send us Fan Mail 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 Procurement New episodes weekly Listen on Apple and Spotify Watch on YouTube: Procurement Pivots Follow us on LinkedIn: Procurement Pivots Want 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.

    35 min
  8. EP 42: When Did Networking Become So Uncomfortable in Procurement Careers?

    27 Apr

    EP 42: When Did Networking Become So Uncomfortable in Procurement Careers?

    Send us Fan Mail 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 Procurement New episodes weekly Listen on Apple and Spotify Watch on YouTube: Procurement Pivots Follow us on LinkedIn: Procurement Pivots Want to share your experience of networking in procurement? Message us via the Procurement Pivots LinkedIn page or reach out to Donna or Laura directly.

    37 min
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Honest conversations and fresh perspectives to help procurement professionals, wherever you are in your career. Navigate change, grow with confidence and shape a career on your terms.Co-hosted by Donna Bowden (Procurement Career Coach, Founder of Narrate Your Career) and Laura Sellers (Executive & Leadership Coach, Founder of Coaching for Procurement) who bring a combined 20+ years of supporting procurement growth

Information

  • Creator
    Donna Bowden & Laura Sellers
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    50
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Procurement Pivots®
  • Show Website
    Procurement Pivots®

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