Given the intensity of the chief procurement officer role, it’s important that readers make conscious efforts to recharge their batteries.
One method that works is to connect with others who face similar challenges, preferably in a neutral environment and, if possible, with a social lubricant thrown in for good measure. For some, this can be food or maybe a glass of wine; for others it can mean a distraction, such as walking, or even spoiling that walk with a game of golf.
Whatever your poison, the secret is to remove intensity and formal agendas, and let the conversation go where it goes. Nine times out of 10, the discussion will travel to incredibly valuable places.
It’s why the community model works so well. And it’s why at Procurement Leaders we are extremely diligent about how we create and curate content and experiences for our members.
Another way to recharge is to make every effort to celebrate success, to remind ourselves of the great work being done by our teams and the function more broadly. And this is why, more than 20 years ago, we launched the World Procurement Awards.
Last week, the 2027 edition opened for entries, and with it a group of CPOs agreed to take part as judges, all of whom are entering into a process that will add many, many hours of work on top of their already hectic, demanding, intense working lives.
Why do they do it? The judges who replied positively to my invitation to judge used words such as “privileged, “honoured” and “excited” to be a part of a “really insightful and rewarding process”.
All of which is great to hear and, in the spirit of this week’s column, is something that boosts my own energy levels. But the reason why such busy executives are willing to give up their time to be a part of this process, is because, with all things considered, it’s a significant net energy giver.
Why? Because judges connect with new people, gain access to a large volume of unique insight, take part in meaningful conversations and get the opportunity to give back to this great function in the process.
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