SPENCE ’ S ADVICE FOR WOMEN
“ Take a leap of faith and be more confident in your abilities . There is never a perfect time to go for the big job or challenge . Read all the time , research anything that seems interesting whether it is business related or not ( satisfy the curious mind ). Never , ever think you have to choose between your family and your job .
“ Family / kids , if you are lucky enough to have them , always come first . Providing for them by working hard and accelerating your career is not choosing the job first . You are providing a role model for them and having your own professional satisfaction , wherever you are in your career , is important to them because you will be happier .”
As you can probably tell by now , as you would within five minutes of sitting face to face with Spence , her leadership style is inclusive , transparent , decisive and what she calls “ biased for action ”.
“ My team will tell you I push like hell and am always digging for more info , more achievement , what ’ s next ,” she says . “ I love the debate and will switch sides of the debate to hear how they will defend their positions ; I want them to be confident and anticipate as many questions as possible . I ’ ve often said if you can get by me , you are ready for anyone !”
In 2020 , Spence won the coveted Institute of Supply Management ’ s J . Shipman Gold Medal – recognition of her advancement of the procurement and supply chain management profession . She is suitably modest about her achievement , saying her grown daughters now believe “ mom may have a good idea or two every now and again ” while also saying it has helped boost her LinkedIn connections . But don ’ t be fooled for a second – Spence appreciates the gravitas of the award , and her position as a role model both within procurement and in general .
“ I attribute that to a diversity of experience within procurement – from the beginner level all the way up to the Chief Procurement Officer role , both on the direct as well as indirect side in very different industries ,” she says .
“ In business generally , I attribute that to working for my first 29 years in a very male-oriented environment that was also engineering focused . I am an economics and political science major with an MBA , and learning the technical side of the business presented quite the challenge . “ A non-technical female in a maleoriented engineering-focused industry …. success took grit , resilience and asking a whole lot of questions . Being curious was / is a critical skill that has helped propel my career .”
Speaking at Procurement & Supply Chain LIVE London in October , Spence had the audience riveted both in her keynote session and the closing panel discussion . Respected and revered by her peers and the next generation of procurement professionals alike , she is a warm , honest , and supremely talented leader that other leaders can learn from . Which is just one reason why we expect Spence to continue
32 January 2023