Procurement Pivots®

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What if the network you need to move forward in your procurement career is already there, and you’re simply not using it?

In this Truth episode, we talk openly about the role of networking in procurement careers. Not the uncomfortable, transactional, awkward version of networking many people imagine, but the real version: building meaningful relationships that support your growth, your visibility and your opportunities.

We cover:

• Why many procurement professionals network brilliantly for their organisation, but not for themselves
• The misconceptions about what networking is (and what it is not)
• Why so many senior professionals feel uncomfortable with networking, even though they already have the skill set
• The reality of how most procurement roles are actually secured today
• How to reframe networking so it feels natural, purposeful and genuinely enjoyable
• Practical ways to start or restart your networking in a way that fits your personality and style

We also share real stories of what happens when networking is avoided until it is urgently needed, and why building relationships before you need them is one of the most important career habits you can develop.

Thanks for joining. We’re so glad you're here.

👥 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 & Spotify
 📺 Full episodes available on YouTube: Procurement Pivots
 📌 Follow us on LinkedIn: Procurement Pivots
 💬 Got a topic or challenge you'd like us to cover? Let us know on the LinkedIn page.

Send us Fan Mail

What happens when everything just feels too much?

In this episode, we tackle a feeling that almost every procurement professional experiences at some point in their career: overwhelm. From the constant demands of stakeholders to ever-growing workloads and shifting expectations, it’s easy to feel like you’re running just to stand still.

We explore:

• Why overwhelm isn’t failure but a signal that something needs to change
• How to decode what’s really driving your feelings of overload
• The importance of focusing on what you can control, not everything at once
• How boundaries and small steps can help rebuild clarity and confidence
• Practical ways to regain focus, perspective and energy

This episode is for you if you’ve ever felt stuck, exhausted or unsure how to move forward. It’s a reminder that progress is possible, even when it feels out of reach.

Thanks for joining us. We’re so glad you’re here.

👥 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 & Spotify
 📺 Full episodes available on YouTube: Procurement Pivots – YouTube
 📌 Follow us on LinkedIn: Procurement Pivots
 💬 Got a topic or challenge you’d like us to cover? Drop it in the comments or message us via the LinkedIn page.

Send us Fan Mail

In this episode, we talk about an underlying theme in our coaching sessions: validation.

Whether it’s feeling unseen by stakeholders, overlooked for promotion, or questioning your own value, validation sits at the heart of confidence, motivation and influence in procurement careers.

We explore:

• The difference between external and internal validation and why both matter
• How over-relying on others’ approval can quietly hold you back
• Ways to recognise and communicate your value with credibility
• How to give validation to others as a route to stronger influence
• Why celebrating your own progress is essential for self-belief

This episode is for you if you’ve ever felt undervalued, invisible or unsure how to get recognised for your impact and you’re ready to turn recognition into real influence.

Thanks for joining us. We’re so glad you’re here.

👥 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 & Spotify
 📺 Full episodes available on YouTube: Procurement Pivots – YouTube
 📌 Follow us on LinkedIn: Procurement Pivots
 💬 Got a topic or challenge you’d like us to cover? Drop it in the comments or message us via the LinkedIn page.

Send us Fan Mail

What does imposter syndrome really mean for procurement professionals, and how can we move past it?

In this episode, we dive into one of the topics our listeners requested: imposter syndrome. While the phrase is widely used, we question whether it actually helps or whether it holds us back by labelling a very normal, very human experience.

We cover:

• Why imposter feelings often arise during transitions and growth moments
• How labels like “imposter syndrome” can both normalise and limit us
• A model that reframes self-doubt as a stage of learning
• The link between comfort zones, confidence, and career progression
• Why alignment with your values is key to reducing imposter feelings
• The role of feedback in building self-belief and resilience

We also share candid reflections from our own journeys, how these feelings have shown up for us, and the coaching tools we use to help clients move from self-doubt to self-belief.

Thanks for joining. We’re so glad you’re here.

👥 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 & Spotify
 📺 Full episodes available on YouTube: Procurement Pivots - YouTube
 📌 Follow us on LinkedIn: Procurement Pivots
 💬 Got a topic or challenge you'd like us to cover? Drop it in the comments or message us via the LinkedIn page.

Send us Fan Mail

Is perfection really the goal – or is it actually holding you back?

In this episode, we explore how striving for perfection can stall progress in procurement careers, and why embracing action (even if it feels messy) is often the real key to growth. From strategic plans to job searches, we look at how waiting for the “perfect moment” can stop you moving forward.

We cover:

• How the pursuit of perfection shows up for procurement professionals
• Why fear is often at the root of “waiting until things are ready”
• Real examples of how striving for perfection can stall career moves and leadership impact
• Why messy action builds resilience, momentum, and confidence
• The power of small steps to unlock bigger opportunities

We also share candid reflections from our own journeys – when perfection has held us back, when progress has paid off, and what we’ve learned along the way.

Thanks for joining. We’re so glad you’re here.

👥 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 & Spotify
 📺 Full episodes available on YouTube: Procurement Pivots - YouTube
 📌 Follow us on LinkedIn: Procurement Pivots
 💬 Got a topic or challenge you'd like us to cover? Drop it in the comments or message us via the LinkedIn page.

Send us Fan Mail

What does self-employment really look like in the procurement world?

In this episode, we open up about the realities of running your own business – the highs, the lows, and everything in between. While many dream of the freedom that self-employment promises, the truth is often more complex.

We cover:

• The different paths into self-employment in procurement
• Why knowing your purpose matters when the journey gets tough
• The freedom and creativity self-employment can offer – and the trade-offs that come with it
• The honest challenges business owners face that don’t show up on LinkedIn
• Practical tips if you’re considering making the leap yourself

We also share candid reflections from our own journeys – what’s worked, what hasn’t, and the lessons we’ve learned along the way.

Thanks for joining. We’re so glad you’re here.

👥 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 & Spotify
📺 Full episodes available on YouTube: Procurement Pivots - YouTube
📌 Follow us on LinkedIn: Procurement Pivots
💬 Got a topic or challenge you'd like us to cover? Drop it in the comments or message us via the LinkedIn page.

Send us Fan Mail

What are the hard truths about how procurement is perceived, and what role do we play in shaping that?

In this episode, we tackle one of the most uncomfortable but important topics: the perception of procurement. Too often the focus is on how others see us, but are we, even unintentionally, fueling those same perceptions ourselves?

From the memes we share on LinkedIn to the self-limiting beliefs we hold (“I’m just a buyer”), how we show up has a huge impact on how procurement as a function and we as professionals are seen.

We cover:

• Why perceptions of procurement still create a barrier and why they’re not the full picture
• How “perception is projection” can help us uncover what’s really going on inside
• The difference between fuelling negative narratives and shaping positive ones
• Why procurement isn’t always good at marketing itself (and how to start shifting that)
• The importance of owning your story, your voice, and your influence
  
  

We also share candid reflections on the responsibility we all hold, as professionals and as content creators, to shape the narrative of procurement in a way that adds value to the profession and our careers.

Thanks for joining. We’re so glad you’re here.

👥 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 & Spotify
 📺 Full episodes available on YouTube: Procurement Pivots - YouTube
📌 Follow us on LinkedIn: Procurement Pivots
💬 Got a topic or challenge you'd like us to cover? Drop it in the comments or message us via the LinkedIn page.

Send us Fan Mail

What does ownership really mean in your procurement career?

In this episode, we explore how ownership goes beyond accountability. It is about taking back control where you can, and recognising where you cannot.

With so many external challenges affecting procurement right now, from tough job markets to organisational change, it is easy to feel powerless. But ownership gives you choice. It helps you respond with intention, create momentum, and build resilience, even in uncertain times.

We cover:

• What ownership really is (and is not) in your career
• How to separate what is in your control from what is not
• Why regret can be useful data for making better decisions
• How ownership links to future-proofing your procurement career
• Small actions that compound into big shifts over time

We also share reflections from our coaching work, and why choosing ownership is one of the most empowering decisions you can make in your career.

Thanks for joining. We are so glad you are here.

👥 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 & Spotify
📺 Full episodes available on YouTube: Procurement Pivots - YouTube
📌 Follow us on LinkedIn: Procurement Pivots
💬 Got a topic or challenge you would like us to cover? Drop it in the comments or message us via the LinkedIn page.

Send us Fan Mail

What role do values really play in your procurement career?

In this episode, we explore why knowing and honouring your core values isn’t just a “nice-to-have.” It can be the difference between thriving in the right role and staying stuck in the wrong one.

When you’re clear on your values, you gain a powerful navigation system for your career. They shape your decisions, strengthen your leadership, and protect you from choices that may look good on paper but leave you feeling unfulfilled or misaligned.

We cover:

• Why values matter more than you think in career decisions
  
  
• How to spot when a values clash might be the real cause of frustration
  
  
• The difference between “non-negotiable” values and “nice-to-haves”
  
  
• How values show up daily, not just in big career moves
  
  
• Practical ways to use values as a filter for opportunities and relationships

We also share real examples of how values can guide difficult decisions, build stronger collaboration, and help you show up with greater confidence and clarity.

Thanks for joining, we’re so glad you’re here.

👥 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 & Spotify
 📺 Full episodes available on YouTube: Procurement Pivots - YouTube
📌 Follow us on LinkedIn: Procurement Pivots
💬 Got a topic or challenge you’d like us to cover? Message us via the LinkedIn page.

Send us Fan Mail

What does identity really mean in your procurement career?

In this episode, we explore a topic that shows up frequently in coaching - how tightly we link our identity to our role, our performance, or our job title. Whether you’re navigating change, uncertainty, or simply reflecting on your own growth, identity plays a bigger role than you might think

We talk about the impact of labels (the ones we’re given and the ones we give ourselves) and how to start separating who you are from what you do.

You’ll hear:

• Why your job title is not your whole story
  
  
  
• How identity shifts during change, redundancy, or reinvention
  
  
  
• The link between self-worth, beliefs, and how you show up
  
  
  
• Why procurement professionals can face unique identity challenges
  
  
  
• The power of choosing how you present yourself to others

This is one for anyone who’s ever felt stuck, questioned their value, or wanted to feel more like themselves at work.

Thanks for listening. We’re so glad you’re here.

👥 Hosted by:
 Donna Bowden | Procurement Career Coach, Narrate Your Career
 Laura Sellers | Executive & Leadership Coach, Coaching for Procurement

📅 New episodes weekly
🎧 Listen on Apple & Spotify
📺 Full episodes available on YouTube: Procurement Pivots - YouTube
📌 Follow us on LinkedIn: Procurement Pivots
💬 Got a topic or challenge you'd like us to cover? Message us via LinkedIn.