As the U.S. job market improves and technology changes the nature of work, human resources is changing along with it. From social recruiting to app-centric technology has entered a new frontier.
Here are 4 fundamental shifts that are impacting HR professionals and the relevant leadership skills you’ll need to meet the demands of today’s workplace.
1. The lines between work and personal life are gone.
Thanks, in part, to social media and mobile technology, there is no longer a wall between personal life and work life. Mobile technology has allowed information and business communication to be streaming at all times of the day. As a result, professional and personal relationships are being blended into a single “profersonal” network.
What this means as an HR leader:
HR professionals can lead in this environment by becoming keenly aware of stresses that may occur as employees struggle with work/life balance due to this overabundance of communication. In addition, you can be agents of change by embracing and adapting to new technology, communication systems, and employee needs.
Flex-work programs, unlimited vacation days, and other incentives for work/life balance are on the rise. But you shouldn’t take work/life balance programs at face value; although 7 out of 10 hiring managers implement flexible working, nearly half of employees are still looking for more personal time and aren’t necessarily happy with current programs. Understanding this atmosphere will help in creating a positive, desirable work environment.
2. Employee engagement and culture are hot topics.
Today, companies that have engaged employees are attracting the best people, delivering quality customer service, and are pioneers in their industry. Employees who like coming to work and are invested in the company’s goals tend to be more productive, committed, and focused on achievement of the goals. Companies that are committed to engagement treat their employees as people, rather than just talent, and often have robust coaching programs and professional development opportunities.
What this means as an HR leader:
HR professionals can help build and lead highly engaged teams by representing employee concerns to upper management and encouraging employee commitment and contribution. You can support career growth by offering mentoring or creating opportunities for community service projects as a team. For instance, employees at Cummins are encouraged to participate in community betterment programs and in doing so, are engaged with and a part of the company’s philosophy of giving back.
3. Strong business skills lead to capital.
Companies generally seek employees with deep subject-matter expertise and demonstrated critical thinking skills, and HR is no different. HR professionals who can understand the needs of the business from all angles are in demand.
What this means as an HR leader:
HR professionals can serve as strategic business partners in order to ensure profitability and workplace harmony, and analyze situations and problem solve add value in strategic business conversations. Demonstrating your knowledge of the business side sets you up to be part of the solution to enterprise-wide challenges that affect the business environment.
4. Real-time data influences all HR decisions.
Globally, 82% of companies expect to use (or increase their use of) analytics in HR within the next 3 years. While analytics are an essential part of any HR toolkit, the ability to use these pieces of data is the key to workplace success.
What this means as an HR leader:
HR professionals will be expected to embrace technologies in order to understand data and improve organizational performance. You should be able to understand the best ways to organize data in order to ensure efficiency within the business, lower overall costs, and improve quality performance. Real-time data can be used to track employee successes as well as identify opportunities for professional development (e.g., if an employee is lacking in certain skill sets).
The competitive challenges that face organizations today will demand strong HR leadership. A Master of Science in Human Resource Management can equip you with a real-time view of the current HR landscape and the leadership skills to meet a multitude of challenging business needs.
