Which skills can an HR manager not do without if he wants to be successful? Nine answers to this question were published in an article on BLR.com. The article has become the most read article on this U.S. server for HR professionals since 2006. Let's read BLR's summary of these essential skills and think about whether you would omit or add any of them. What do you think?
1. Organizational skills
An HR Manager has to work systematically. This applies to both paperwork and also working with people and their careers. He must also have strong aptitude for time management.
2. Multitasking
An HR Manager has to deal with tasks from different areas every day. He must not only be prepared to change his priorities, but also to work on several things at once.
3. Ability to work with incomplete information
An HR Manager does not always have to know how to properly assess a situation from a legal point of view. However, he must know where to turn for advice and cooperate with experts.
4. Negotiation
An HR Manager must be prepared to help both sides with differing opinions find a common ground. Without the ability to negotiate, he cannot communicate with company management either.
5. Communication skills
An HR Manager must be able to communicate with people at all levels in the company hierarchy, with individuals and with groups. He should master both spoken and written communication and not only be compelling, but also human.
6. Ethical principles
An HR manager must know how to handle personal data and other confidential information. He should also oversee managers to see whether or not they behave ethically to the employees.
7. Focus on employees and management at the same time
An HR Manager must be able to find a balance between the role of an employee advocate and also a partner of the company's top management. He must be prepared for the fact that many of his decisions will neither be easy nor popular.
8. Problem solving
An HR Manager has to be prepared for conflicts and problems. If he is not able to solve problems, he will accomplish almost nothing.
9. Changes in management
An HR Manager must take into account the dizzying pace of change today's companies must must adapt to. His mission is to help all the people involved cope with the changes as easily as possible.
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