The role of the HR professional has evolved considerably throughout the decades. What was once an administrative task that oversaw matters such as staffing requirements and payroll has become an integral function of any organization.
Today’s HR professionals ensure an organization’s human capital aligns with its vision and long-term objectives and are instrumental in conflict resolution, strategic decision-making, and the overall efficiency and development of a business, making them valuable partners in its success.
The COVID-19 pandemic has put the skills of HR professionals to the test, requiring them to adapt quickly to the changing work environment. To navigate the diverse demands of the modern workforce, HR professionals need to equip themselves with the right skills. This article outlines some crucial skills that HR professionals must possess today to drive growth and ensure an organization’s sustained success.
Emotional Intelligence
From entry-level employees to senior management executives, excellent communication across all organizational levels is crucial for HR professionals to be effective in their roles. This extends beyond verbal and written communication into an understanding and application of emotional intelligence.
This includes the ability to interpret non-verbal cues and empathize with others. These necessary skills are needed to de-escalate tensions in a workplace conflict and to effectively manage disputes in a way that allows for a fair and mutually satisfying solution for all parties. Active listening can help HR professionals build positive working relationships and enable them to remain open-minded and flexible in their approach to senior management decisions and the evolving needs of their organization.
Time Management
Superior organization and time management skills are essential for today’s HR professionals. As they are liaising between various departments and levels of an organization, they must ensure time-sensitive tasks progress according to schedule and all deadlines are met in time.
These tasks encompass various responsibilities and range from arranging employee contracts and welcome packs to scheduling interviews, performance reviews, and appraisals. HR must also ensure an organization’s compliance with an ever-increasing array of regulations such as those relating to employment law, health and safety, anti-discrimination, and more to avoid potential legal penalties.
Juggling these multiple responsibilities while being required to pivot for any unexpected issues or challenges requires excellent time management skills. In addition to prioritizing key tasks, minimizing distractions such as unnecessary notifications on electronic devices, and delegating tasks effectively, this can be achieved by learning to say no to matters that do not align with their priorities and which can hinder their productivity.
Leadership
HR professionals are no longer seen as simply a necessary function of an organization but as strategic leaders who help drive an organization forward with its goals. Whether it is through talent acquisition and development, ensuring resilient crisis management during times of change, or advising senior management on effective workplace culture policies, the modern HR professional is instrumental in aligning HR strategies with an organization’s overall requirements and long-term vision.
Through the development of their leadership skills, HR professionals also become more effective in instilling the values of their organization into its workplace culture, gaining buy-in from employees and senior management, and enabling them to drive positive change throughout.
By providing accredited and behavioral-based leadership coaching and leadership programs, HR consulting services such as Humanify HR Consulting can help organizations ensure their workplace culture aligns to support the achievements of their organizational strategy.
Problem Solving
In today’s fast-paced working landscape, HR professionals need to possess a range of essential skills, including problem-solving abilities, to be effective in their role. With constant change and uncertainty looming large, HR professionals must handle complex organizational challenges while managing the effects of natural disasters and health pandemics on the workforce.
To meet these challenges, HR professionals must be adept at addressing workplace grievances and disciplinary actions, implementing remote working solutions without any delay or disruption to the business, and devising creative solutions to ensure the highest quality candidates are entering and remaining in the organization.
By adopting an agile and flexible approach to their role, HR professionals can ensure any problems that arise are dealt with effectively, promoting employee well-being and organizational success. By developing these skills, HR professionals can meet the demands required of them in an ever-evolving workplace landscape and position themselves as valuable assets for their organization.
