"I had to learn the hard way that people's feelings really matter."

That was Zachary Bachir’s candid admission about his journey from a logical "robot" to an EQ expert. It serves as the foundation for today’s deep dive into Brain Science and the "Fluff" that actually drives multi-million dollar business results.

In this week's Proc & Roll, hosts Conrad Smith, Natasha Gurevich, and Zachary Bachir strip away the spreadsheets to explore the single most important engine in procurement: Stakeholder Management.

We debate why being a "gatekeeper" is a death trap for your influence, how to overcome imposter syndrome when dealing with the C-Suite, and why a relationship with zero friction—a "Love Fest"—might actually mean you’re failing at your job.

In this episode, we cover:

• The 90-Day Listening Tour: The one diagnostic question Natasha uses to uncover organizational pain without getting defensive.

• The "Fluff" Myth: Why brilliant tech and supply chain architects fail the moment they ignore the human side of the business.

• The Ego Audit: A masterclass in taking "brutal" feedback and turning a critic into a coach.

• The "Hobby Buyer" Pivot: How to address shadow procurement by carrying the "torch of empowerment" across the whole enterprise.

About Proc & Roll

Proc & Roll is your guide to practical procurement, hosted by industry heavyweights Zachary Bachir, Conrad Smith (CEO, Graphite), and Natasha Gurevich (CEO, Candor Procurement). From brain science to visual mapping, we deliver actionable insights to help you win hearts, minds, and budgets.