What are the qualities required in a HR manager in order to be successful?

An HR manager, or a people operations manager, plays an important role in any organization. Their position often demands a unique combination of both hard and soft skills: they have a strategic role in engaging, motivating, and supporting employees and have a large influence on the overall organizational components of the company culture.

If managed correctly, Human Resources managers contribute to the success and growth of a company. However, mismanagement and bad HR practices within this department could disrupt the entire organization.

In this blog post, we will be giving the tools and skills that an HR manager must possess to bring success. But first, let’s go back to the essence.

Table of Contents

1. The role and importance of an HR manager
2. HR Manager Skillsets and Personal Qualities
3. Consequences of Bad HR Practices
4. HR Manager Tools and Resources

The role and importance of an HR manager

The role of human resources managers is to manage the workforce and oversee department functions. They are the link between employees and corporate management. With a combined set of skills and expertise in Human Resources, business, and management, HR managers are equipped to direct administrative functions and handle employee-related issues.

When it comes to day-to-day operations, HR managers have several responsibilities:

• Attraction and retention of talent: Managing the recruitment process, onboarding, and developing a strategy to hire and maintain talent within the company.
• Training and development programs: Assessing the performance of employees to determine if they need training to improve their skills.
• Employee relationships: Maintaining a good relationship with employees to resolve any problems they may have and to create a positive work environment.
• Policies, plans, and procedures: Developing and revising different plans, policies, and procedures that are related to the management of employees.

HR managers undertake different tasks to not only ensure employee happiness but also support growth. As you can imagine, they play an integral part in the success of an organization. Without them, the company would not be functioning properly.

HR Manager Skillsets and Personal Qualities

It has become clear that Human Resource managers are more than just “people persons”. They are responsible for the most valuable asset of a company; the employees. Although specific skill sets vary, depending on one’s specific HR career path, generally, to be successful as an HR manager, the following skills and qualities are needed:

Collaboration

Working efficiently within a team is a valuable skill that every employee needs to possess. However, Human resource managers must also be able to collaborate with all departments in an organization. It is essential to know the needs of every department and work closely together to develop the right strategies.

Communication

Effective oral and written communication skills are needed to be able to talk with employees, delegate tasks, and report to management. HR managers must be able to negotiate clearly and precisely. Additionally, they must be able to listen. This is especially important when a conflict between employees needs to be solved.

Ethics

HR managers are responsible for the development and implementation of different policies. They serve as the moral compass of the organization. To fulfill their duties, they must have a strong sense of ethics. Discretion, confidentiality, and trust are all key components of dealing with sensitive issues.

Passion

To perform well as a Human Resource manager, there must be a passion for the job. At times, it can be distant and dull to represent the rules and regulations of an organization. However, building a connection with employees and inspiring them to develop themselves is what makes it all worthwhile.

Flexibility

Organizations are constantly evolving. On a daily basis, HR managers could be working on a strategy one minute, but having to deal with an employee issue the next. While the workdays are dynamic, it requires managers to be flexible. They must be able to multitask and prioritize to ensure that the department is working smoothly.

Consequences of Bad HR Practices

When the Human Resources department is not operating correctly, it will harm the corporate culture. Miscommunication and poor decision-making between HR and upper management levels will cause an unalignment in the values, goals, and objectives of a company. With no clear direction to follow, the motivation and productivity of employees will decrease. In fact, the negative work environment that is created will contribute to a high staff turnover.

While this might seem like an exaggerated scenario, the effects of a dysfunctional Human Resources department should not be underestimated. They are often immediate and could have a long-term impact on an organization. In order to avoid this negative chain reaction, you need someone who can take control of your HR team. An HR manager can provide the direction that your company needs to effectively manage your employees.

HR Manager Tools and Resources

To be the change that your organization needs is not easy. It takes hard work, persistence, and experience to become an exceptional Human Resource manager. However, having the right HR management tools will lead your company to success.

Our 2022 People Manager Kit is a comprehensive selection of over 30 HR management tools and resources.  The kit includes downloadable templates, checklists, surveys, and more. In other words, it’s the perfect resource for people teams in need of materials to help them with their daily functions.

Those who are looking for an even more efficient and effective solution for managing their HR processes should consider Factorial’s all-in-one software for people teams.  With Factorial’s intuitive and easy-to-use interface, you will save both time and headache. Streamline your HR processes and get started with Factorial today!

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