At Kyndryl, I learned a simple truth: taking ownership changes everything.
One of my roles at Kyndryl was to ensure we had a good ongoing relationship with our suppliers. These suppliers employed the people on the ground who provided the final/end service to Kyndryl employees.
I made the conscious choice: I would take ownership. I took the opportunity to work more directly with our suppliers whilst keeping procurement involved during negotiations.
Procurement would attend the calls and be copied on emails; this ensured the procurement process was fully adhered to. I’d lead, I’d set up the calls, I’d take the minutes, I’d negotiate, I’d innovate. If I felt the price quoted by the supplier for an extension of an existing contract was too high, I’d reach out directly, “Hey folks, I feel this extension is a little on the rich side. Can you take another look please? If not, we might need to open a tender with other suppliers.”
Taking ownership meant being the point of contact, prioritising issues, and making sure everyone felt supported. The results were clear:
- Stronger supplier relationships – Suppliers knew they had a direct line to me and that their issues would be addressed promptly. Trust grew, and communication improved.
- Less workload for procurement – By taking responsibility for the day-to-day management, procurement could focus on their other tasks, confident that I had ownership and understood the boundaries of my responsibility.
- Confidence from management – Management knew I was ensuring the best outcomes, negotiating effectively, and resolving challenges.
Ownership doesn’t mean doing everything alone—it means being accountable, responsive, and proactive. Looking back, taking ownership not only made my role more effective and easier to complete—it also built trust and efficiency across the team and with our suppliers.
Today, I bring the same approach to every client at VitaAssist VA – ensuring projects run smoothly, efficiently, and with trusted, proactive support.
In complex collaborations, ownership isn’t optional – it’s the differentiator that drives results and builds lasting relationships.