The world of Human Resource Management has changed significantly over the last decade. HR is no longer an admin tool seen as a necessary requirement, not greatly beneficial to the successful running of the business. HR is now leading the way in order to create and sustain an engaged, diverse team. HR is here to stay and is a beast to be reckoned with. To be a leading HR professional the following key skills are essential to thrive:

1. Emotional Intelligence

This term was first coined by Daniel Goleman in 1995 and encompassed demonstrating empathy in any situation. Strong HR leaders can put themselves in their employees’ shoes when delivering any news or information. It also covers the ability to manage your emotions and self-regulate your behaviour and be aware of your sense of self and your actions. This skill could not be more critical for any HR professional.

2. Communication

Whoever created the phrase communication is key wasn’t lying! HR professionals are so deeply integrated into all aspects of a business organisation that they need to have communication skills which rival Winston Churchill! An HR leader will spend a good portion of their days communicating updates, discussing issues of a personal nature and training others. All of these require them to be open, honest and robust when it comes to delivering key messages which also align with an organisation’s strategy and purpose.

3. Leadership

The profession of HR may have been seen as a necessary admin role historically, however now it has become apparent that HR leaders deserve a seat at the top table in order to support business purpose, values, and objectives, and to allow the organisation to thrive. It is therefore vital that HR teams consist of strong leaders. These leaders must be forward-thinking and be able to help prepare the organisation for change. They are also expected to follow industry and market trends and therefore be well-researched in moving forwards successfully.

4. Organisation and Time Management

The role of the HR professional is such a dynamic one that part of what makes the profession, so enticing is that no two days are the same. It is therefore an essential key skill that HR professionals are organised and have strong time management skills. This includes researching and implementing existing task management and planning software programmes such as Asana to ensure their team and the business stay on top of a multi-tasked workday.

5. Adaptability and Resilience

With the evolution of HR roles, there has never been a more significant time for adaptability in the workplace. The post-pandemic workplace has changed forever, and HR needs to adapt to the ever-evolving workforce needs. Resilience is a key way to handle these challenges. Thinking positively in times of challenge is helpful here. This will enable HR to help and assist others.

If you would like to commence or develop your career and key skills in HR, then the CIPD selection of courses may be of essential value to you. Courses are offered at different levels. CIPD Level 3 – recommended for HR professionals just starting out. CIPD Level 5 – is for those in middle management looking to progress and CIPD Level 7 is for those already in a Senior Management role.