The Important Procurement Message from The Traitors
This article was originally published on Business Academy Online and is republished here with the permission of the author.
As a white female, delving into the discussion of unconscious bias might seem like stepping into territory that isn’t inherently mine to navigate. I feel nervous even writing this, I understand how as a white woman I have a level of privilege.
However, recent experiences, such as watching the UK reality TV show “The Traitors,” and developing my female leadership programme have shed light on the pervasive nature of unconscious bias and its profound impact on decision-making processes. It’s made me feel uncomfortable and ignited a passion within me to understand this phenomenon better and advocate for its recognition, particularly within the realm of procurement.
“The Traitors” serves as a poignant reminder that unconscious bias is not confined to specific contexts but permeates various facets of society, including reality television. I found it fascinating that in the UK Traitors series 2, a young, blonde, very sweet woman was never suspected to be a traitor, yet anyone who was of an ethnic minority background or a strong outspoken female was under suspicion straight away. I understand that this is a show and that we cannot see all the interactions but while I was riveted to the show, I found this aspect really fascinating and slightly uncomfortable.
Delving into Unconscious Bias
Through developing my Female Leaders in Procurement Leadership programme I have delved deeper into unconscious bias, and it impacts us all. Rather than being defensive about this, I want us all to be more curious and to investigate what these might be for us all. Particularly for those of us involved in the procurement and supply chain function.
How a person thinks can depend on their life experiences and sometimes they have beliefs and views about other people that might not be right or reasonable.
This is known as ‘unconscious bias’ and includes when a person thinks:
- better of someone because they believe they’re alike
- less of someone because that person is different to them, for example, they might be of a different race, religion or age
Procurement, as a critical function within organisations, plays a pivotal role in shaping supplier relationships, negotiating contracts, and ultimately impacting the success of business operations. Here are compelling reasons why training in unconscious bias is indispensable for procurement professionals:
1. Supplier Diversity and Inclusion
Effective procurement strategies prioritise supplier diversity and inclusion, recognising the value of a diverse supplier base in driving innovation and fostering resilience. However, unconscious biases can inadvertently influence supplier selection processes, leading to missed opportunities for engaging with minority-owned businesses or marginalised communities. Training in unconscious bias equips procurement professionals with the awareness and tools necessary to foster an inclusive procurement environment and promote diversity among suppliers.
2. Fair and Ethical Decision-Making
Unconscious biases can subconsciously sway procurement decisions, resulting in unfair treatment or preferential treatment towards certain suppliers. This compromises the integrity of procurement processes and undermines trust both internally and externally. By undergoing training in unconscious bias, procurement professionals cultivate a heightened sense of self-awareness and develop strategies to mitigate bias in decision-making, ensuring fairness, and ethical conduct throughout the procurement lifecycle.
3. Risk Mitigation and Compliance
Failure to address unconscious bias in procurement can pose significant risks to organisations, ranging from reputational damage to legal liabilities. Biased decision-making may inadvertently lead to non-compliance with anti-discrimination laws or breach of ethical standards, exposing organisations to costly repercussions. Training in unconscious bias empowers procurement professionals to identify and mitigate potential risks associated with bias, thereby safeguarding the organisation’s reputation and ensuring regulatory compliance.
4. Enhanced Stakeholder Relationships
Procurement professionals interact with a diverse range of stakeholders, including internal teams, suppliers, and external partners. Unconscious bias has the potential to strain these relationships by eroding trust and fostering perceptions of favouritism or discrimination. By fostering a culture of awareness and inclusivity through training in unconscious bias, procurement professionals can cultivate stronger, more collaborative relationships built on mutual respect and transparency.
While discussing unconscious bias may initially feel uncomfortable or unfamiliar, it’s a conversation that we cannot afford to ignore, especially within the realm of procurement. By acknowledging our inherent biases and proactively addressing them through training and education, we can foster a more equitable and inclusive procurement landscape that drives sustainable business success. As procurement professionals, it’s incumbent upon us to embrace this journey towards bias awareness and advocate for positive change within our organisations and beyond.
A heavy message but an important one for sure. It’s something we’ve been exploring and discussing on the FLiP programme (the topic AND the programme 😆).
P.S. The Traitors is spectacular television.
This article was written by Laura Scarfe, Founder and Owner of Business Academy Online.
Laura will be joining the BRAVO Leadership Program for Women in Procurement and Supply Chain next month for a masterclass on the unique challenges for females in negotiation and the steps needed to overcome them. If you’re a BRAVO member, be sure to attend the masterclass. Further details can be found for each region below:
The Americas – October 2nd, 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM CDT.
