How to be successful?.... 4 Heads of Procurement discuss
During a panel discussion at the CIPS UK Conference, delegates were igiven plenty with tips on how to get to the top from four CPOs, covering aspects from; the ability to influence, experience, leadership style and work life balance....Ability to influence:-
"One of the key things for the senior executive in the procurement function is ability to influence and drive change in your team and other functions.”
(Juliet Sotnick, CPO at Babcock)
"Having a “clear strategy and getting people to believe it”. I think about that with my team – do I inspire confidence?”
(Rob Douglas, CPO at Direct Line Group)
Experience of different functions/cultures:-
“Having experience of other parts of the business, it’s understanding the challenges, the level of risk aversion, understanding their drivers. It’s having that empathy with them.”
(Juliet Sotnick, CPO at Babcock)
“Having an understanding of how other cultures work and how you can work with global and multi-site teams. How do you make change work remotely?”
(Imran Rasul, CPO at BAE Systems)
"I don’t think you have to move between organisations. If you are working for an organisation where you are placed well and you have built credibility, there is no need to move.”
(Juliet Sotnick, CPO at Babcock)
"If I was feeling restricted within that organisation, perhaps move on, but I would also say try and move within that organisation first.”
(Imran Rasul, CPO at BAE Systems)
Leadership Style:-
"Ask for feedback on yourself and your leadership style. Use that to try and adapt your style. In the past I was more command and control. I have learnt to adapt my style. Engaging with people is much more important than creating targets. If you have got the right behaviours it goes way beyond reporting lines in structures.”
(Kristian Saksida, CPO at Solvay)
“The key thing is to be authentic. People see through you if you try to be something you’re not. My way of leading is to create a strategy, make sure it’s being reviewed and signed off by others, and let people get on with it. I can’t be hands-on at the micro level.”
(Kristian Saksida, CPO at chemicals company Solvay)
I look back and think I was so desperate to demonstrate the analysis I had performed was clearly the right answer. It has taken me quite a while to say, ‘Chill out’ and understand their point of view. I was a bit too gung ho in those days. You don’t have to win it there and then in the room.”
(Rob Douglas, CPO at Direct Line Group)
Work/life balance:-
"Making sure there is a sensible work-life bala)nce throughout the organisation is important. Unless there is a crisis I won’t work the weekend and I try not to work evenings. It’s not always easy.”
(Imran Rasul, CPO at BAE Systems)
"You want well-rounded people who are robust in terms of mental health. That balance in life is really important.”
(Kristian Saksida, CPO at Solvay)
And the best single piece of career advice.....
“Make sure you move into something where you are on-purpose. If you are in that place you will naturally become good at it.”
(Rob Douglas, CPO at Direct Line Group)
“Focus on the capabilities you are looking to develop.”
(Juliet Sotnick, CPO at Babcock)
“Take a few risks, back yourself. Think like a business leader. Think of your business rather than just your function.”
(Imran Rasul, CPO at BAE Systems)
“If you don’t like what you’re doing, go and do something else. Life is too short.”
(Kristian Saksida, CPO at Solvay)