Human Resources Management has been a growing professional field for years, and the trend will continue as HR demands on businesses of all sizes are increasing. Here, we outline four essential qualities of a good HR manager that one can develop in order to advance up the career ladder.

1. Be a Great Communicator

A core function of every HR professional is to act as an organization’s facilitator of effective communication between employees and management/ownership. This role requires quality written and oral communication skills. An HR manager’s audience includes all current employees, prospective employees, managers, and ownership, and the full spectrum of modern written communication methods (including social media) should be properly put to use. Above all, communications from HR must be open, transparent, caring, and trustworthy.

In order to build strong communication within their organization, a good HR manager should be as personal as possible. Focusing on employee needs and their personal lives when possible builds trust and believability. Always ask for feedback when possible and be sure to actually listen and respond as needed. Keep a positive attitude in all communications and build trust within your organization by using transparent language and always following through on communicated commitments.

2. Be Aware Of Ethical Responsibilities

Successful HR managers understand and embrace their role as the conscience of their organizations. HR professionals are entrusted with many different types of confidential information, and nothing less than the absolute security and protection of that information from unauthorized disclosure is acceptable. HR professionals must exhibit complete honesty and discretion when working with every member of their organization.

While HR managers do work directly for the managers and owners of their company, they have a duty to faithfully ensure that all actions towards employees and staff are above board, legal, and fair. Understanding the organizational chart and chain of command is essential to a good HR manager when potential ethical issues must be addressed to the appropriate person or group in the event that any situation requires disclosure to a responsible person. While this duty is often difficult, any organization worth being part of will appreciate candor, honesty, and the highest ethical standards from their HR professionals.

3. Develop Outstanding Leadership and Conflict Management Skills

One of the other top qualities of a good HR manager is full confidence in their leadership abilities. Employees often look first to HR for answers and clarity on many company issues. HR is typically considered the expert, and quality leadership on delivering information and promoting employee satisfaction can and should be handled at the HR level whenever possible. Leadership for HR professionals means promoting friendly and helpful relations in all cases while maintaining company objectives and policies.

Successful leadership for an HR professional means managing the dynamic of being the enforcer of the rules while also being helpful and caring. This means also being adept at conflict management. Whether that involves working out disagreements among co-workers or explaining why particular company policies are important, HR managers should always be prepared to handle interpersonal relationships. Mediation and conflict resolution training can help develop the skills needed to help people get along at work.

4. Become an Expert in Organization and Multitasking

Every HR department requires strong organization, and HR professionals need personally strong work habits and time-management abilities to be successful. HR offices should set an example for an entire organization, so sloppy filing or office management should be avoided. Both employees and management expect timely and proper handling of routine tasks, and effective organizational skills can help keep things running smoothly.

An ordinary day for an HR professional includes a wide variety of tasks and duties, including hiring, firing, recruiting, conflict resolution, and management meetings. Self-discipline and multitasking are an essential part of the job. The needs of management and employees shift moment to moment, and prioritization on the fly is essential to success. Effective training with technology and delegation can help HR managers develop the power to multitask on the move.

Here at StaffScapes, we know that handling human resources is especially difficult for small and mid-sized businesses. They have to handle all the paperwork, regulations, and costs that huge corporations do, but with fewer people and fewer resources. That’s why we offer HR outsourcing services to small firms. For more information, call our PEO experts today.

We look forward to speaking with you.