EP 45: The Uncomfortable Truth About Procurement Career Growth

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 to

How the comfort zone can quietly hold you back

• Why staying where things feel safe can limit progression, visibility and career development

The three zones of growth: comfort, stretch and panic

• Understanding where confidence is built and where it can be lost

Why many procurement professionals overwhelm themselves before they start

• Jumping straight to the end goal rather than breaking it down into manageable steps

How to take practical, incremental steps forward

• Building confidence and leadership presence through action, not overthinking

Rethinking visibility and influence in procurement

• Why you don’t need to be the loudest voice to have impact with stakeholders

Applying this to real scenarios

• From speaking up in meetings to using LinkedIn more intentionally without needing to post

Why clarity reduces fear

• Separating what is genuinely challenging from what feels overwhelming

Takeaways

• A clearer understanding of why discomfort is part of procurement career growth
• A practical framework to help you step outside your comfort zone with more confidence
• A reminder that consistent stretch drives career progression, not big leaps
• Encouragement to stop waiting for confidence and start building it through action

Hosted by:

Donna Bowden | Procurement Career Coach, Narrate Your Career
Laura Sellers | Executive and Leadership Coach, Coaching for Procurement

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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.