More than pipes and wires

It’s interesting that a novel from 40 years ago about the LAPD could also apply to other professions. It may be only two sentences out of a hard-scrabble and gritty story by Joseph Wambaugh, but I think they fit Procurement equally as well as police work:

“…Knuckles Garrity who told his rookie partners that a policeman only needed three things to succeed: common sense, a sense of humor and compassion.That none of these could be taught in a college classroom and that most men could succeed without one of the three, but a policeman never could.” (1)

I’d only substitute curiosity for compassion, because we don’t usually see people when they’re behaving at their worst…usually. These three characteristics play an important role in the success of the Procurement Professional.

Common Sense: be that calm voice that helps your customer define their need ... Read more »