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October 22, 2025
I’m not your typical Leadership Summit attendee because I’m not a procurement professional. I’m the Business Operations and Strategic Planning Director for the Procurement Services division in South Carolina, and I recently had the opportunity to attend the NIGP Leadership Summit.
In my role, I support procurement managers, directors, and other higher-level procurement folks with organizational development and leadership. I work closely with procurement professionals and offer support, especially in strategic and leadership development.
My proximity to procurement led me to NIGP, but I hadn’t attended any events before Leadership Summit. Even though the agenda looked interesting, I was still a bit apprehensive at first—when I sign up for training, I want to make sure it’s adding value.
Fortunately, I didn’t have to worry. Leadership Summit turned out to be one of the most valuable professional development experiences I've had, and I’m already working on getting more people from my team to attend next year.
A Focus on Strategic Planning and Leadership
What initially drew my attention to the Leadership Summit was its focus on strategic planning and leadership, which are critical to my day-to-day responsibilities. While many of my colleagues in attendance were Chief Procurement Officers and other high-level procurement professionals, I found that my unique perspective as someone outside of the procurement function was an asset. I took the lessons we learned and applied them directly to the challenges I face while supporting the procurement team.
Something that struck me early on was just how practical and applicable the content was. We didn’t just get theoretical frameworks or fluff to fill the time; the facilitators provided real, actionable tools and steps to improve our strategic planning processes and leadership skills. I felt like I came home with a toolbox full of tools I could use directly in my work.
Key Takeaways
I walked away from Leadership Summit with a long list of action items. One of my biggest takeaways was the importance of building trusted relationships, even across different functions. The facilitator emphasized that influence isn't just about having the right position or authority—it's about establishing credibility and rapport. As someone who works closely with the procurement team but isn't a procurement professional, this really resonated with me. It was a good reminder that I need to be intentional about nurturing those relationships, not just when I need something, but as an ongoing effort.
Another great takeaway was the importance of being mindful of your tone and audience when communicating. It’s something I was aware of, but I gained additional insights that can help ensure I am communicating most effectively with my team. I was reminded that everyone who works for me isn’t created equally, so I need to adjust my communication style. It could be timing or even asking for their input on the best way for me to communicate with them.
An Energizing Experience
Beyond the curriculum, what I found most valuable was the opportunity to learn from my peers. While we may not all be in the same function, we're all facing similar challenges when it comes to leading teams, driving change, and positioning our organizations for success. I had so many rich discussions with the other attendees, swapping ideas and best practices. It was incredibly energizing to be surrounded by that level of expertise and passion. I felt like the excited new kid as someone new to NIGP events, but everyone around me seemed just as excited.
I left the summit feeling inspired and motivated, with pages of notes and a long list of action items I was eager to implement. The content was so relevant and practical that I didn't experience any of the typical "training fatigue" I sometimes feel after these types of events. Instead, I was bursting with ideas and ready to put what I learned into practice.
I highly recommend the NIGP Leadership Summit to anyone in a leadership role. The caliber of the facilitators and the quality of the curriculum were top-notch, and I made some great connections that I'm looking forward to building on. I'm so grateful I stepped out of my comfort zone and attended - it was absolutely worth it.
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