HR Management & Compliance

The 9 Essential Skills of Human Resources Management – How Many Do You Have?

By Jay Schleifer and Steve Bruce

When we interview a potential new hire, HR professionals assess the candidate against a list of key skills and personal characteristics needed for the job. Let’s turn the tables and see what that list of key attributes would look like for a human resources management professional.

Human Resources Management Key Skills

In no way is our list authoritative, but it is the opinion of people, including BLR® Founder Bob Brady, who’ve spent decades meeting with HR professionals, supporting their goals, and reporting their achievements.

You may agree or not with our assessments, but either way, we’d like to hear about it via the “Share Your Comments” link at the end of the article.

That said, here goes:

HR Management Key Skill #1: Organization

HR management requires an orderly approach. Organized files, strong time management skills, and personal efficiency are key to HR effectiveness. You’re dealing with people’s lives and careers here, and when a manager requests help with a termination or a compensation recommendation or recognition program, it won’t do to say, “I’ll try to get to that if I have time.”

HR Management Key Skill #2—Multitasking

On a typical HR day, an HR professional will deal with an employee’s personal issue one minute, an intermittent leave question the next, and a recruiting strategy for a hard-to-fill job the minute after. And that’s to say nothing of social media, wage/hour, engagement, retention, and a whole host of other things, every one critical to someone.

In HR, if it’s not one thing, it’s another. Priorities and business needs move fast and change fast, and manager A who needs someone hired doesn’t much care if you’re already helping manager B who needs someone fired. You need to be able to handle it all, all at once.


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HR Management Key Skill #3—Dealing with Grey

A surprisingly large percentage of the issues HR managers face are in “the grey area.” Is it discrimination? Is it harassment? What’s a “reasonable” accommodation? How far over backward do you have to lean to approve intermittent leave? HR managers have to be able to act with incomplete and “best available” information, and they have to know when to seek the professional help of colleagues, attorneys, and other experts.

HR Management Key Skill #4—Negotiation

Along with grey comes the need to negotiate—there are often two or more opposing views, and the successful HR pro can find an acceptable middle ground. Remember, the goal of negotiation is to end up with two parties that are satisfied with the outcome, and that’s not often easy to achieve.

HR Management Key Skill #5—Communication

HR professionals have to communicate up to management, over to managers, out to potential employees, and down to all levels of current employees. And they have to do it in writing, while speaking to large and small groups and, increasingly, through social media. They have to be convincing, caring, and believable.

HR Management Key Skill #6—Discrete and Ethical

HR professionals are the conscience of the company, as well as the keepers of confidential information. As you serve the needs of top management, you also monitor their actions toward employees to be sure that policies and regulations are followed. You need to be able to push back when they aren’t in order to keep the firm on the straight and narrow. Not an easy responsibility!

Of course, you always handle confidential information appropriately, and never divulge it to any unauthorized person.

HR Management Key Skill #7—Dual Focus

Employees expect human resources professionals to advocate for their concerns, yet you must also enforce top management’s policies. The HR professional who can pull off this delicate balancing act wins trust from all concerned.

There are times you must make decisions to protect the individual and other times when you protect the organization, its culture, and values. These decisions may be misunderstood by some, and you may catch flak because of it, but you know that explaining your choices might compromise confidential information. That’s something you would never do.

HR Management Key Skill #8—Conflict Management and Problem Solving

News flash! Everyone doesn’t always get along with everyone else. High productivity demands that people work together at least civilly. HR has to find ways to allow that to happen. And that’s to say nothing of the myriad other problems that hit HR’s in-box—you can’t be effective without problem-solving ability.

HR Management Key Skill #9—Change Management

Most companies today are in a constant state of flux. Task forces, matrices, and teams spring into being, do their jobs, and disband as others form. Hierarchies have been squashed, and companies have four or five generations working side by side. A lot of people are freaked out by what’s going on. HR has to help everyone cope with the constant changes.

Nine Skills, But Also One Caveat

“HR is a creature of, and serves, the business strategy,” Brady says. “It’s important for HR people to know what that strategy is and what makes the business tick so the approach to HR can be tailored accordingly.

“Never think of HR in isolation,” he advises. “Because if HR professionals think of themselves as ‘just HR,’ that’s what the rest of the organization will think, too.”

Did We Get It Right?

How about our 9 skills? Do you have a different list? Please share it in the comments below. (This article was updated Thursday, August 22, 2013 9:40 AM).

181 thoughts on “The 9 Essential Skills of Human Resources Management – How Many Do You Have?”

  1. Greetings –

    I read your article ” The 9 Essential Skills of Human Resources Management: How Many Do You Have?” and was amazed by how closely it falls in line with the 11 Leadership Principles that are taught in the US Armed Forces. As a US Navy Reserve Senior Enlisted Leader and a 2 time OIF Vet, I found the similarity striking.

    The 11 Leadership Priniciples will work for all business leader also.

    They are:

    11 Leadership Principles of the US Armed Forces

    1. Know yourself and seek self-improvement – By properly evaluating your own weaknesses/strengths and looking to improve those areas daily, you will continually improve your ability & performance – Make sure your staff follows this also.

    2. Be technically and tactically proficient – Keep current with the latest technical developments in your field of expertise and know how to deploy your resources for the maximum return on investment – another great development principle for your employees.

    3. Develop a sense of responsibility among your subordinates – Drive accountability down to the base level among your staff – Make sure they are aware that you will hold them accountable for their actions and assignments.

    4. Make sound and timely decisions – Make sure that your decisions are well thought out and take into account all relevant information – Don’t act rashly or out of anger, desperation or any other emotional state.

    5. Set the example – Lead from the front – make sure that your staff sees you as the role model Be visible in your daily activities – hold yourself to a higher standard – this will motivate subordinates to improve themselves.

    6. Know your people and look out for their welfare – Only by demonstrating that you are interested and concerned for their welfare will you win their loyalty. A good leader is a compassionate listener and understands what motivates his/her staff.

    7. Keep your people informed – Information is the life’s blood of any organization and only good if it is shared across the widest possible spectrum. Share your ideas and knowledge with your staff – this will make them feel included and valuable.

    8. Seek responsibility and take responsibility for your actions – Be prepared for your next assignment and take charge of all areas of responsibility – if a mistake is made, stand up & take the heat. By doing so, you will demonstrate a key principle of leadership – We all make mistakes, we are all fallible but it is how we respond to our mistakes that separate the professionals from the pretenders.

    9. Ensure assigned tasks are understood, supervised, and accomplished – You need to trust your people but verify – Trust your employees to do their job but verify it has been done to your standards. By doing so, you will make sure that you are involved, accountable and creditable with your superiors.

    10. Train your people as a team – Have your staff work together as a team and cross train on each others responsibilities. This allows them to utilize each other’s strengths and to feed off of the team synergy. Teamwork develops a sense of shared responsibility and commitment to the objective.

    11. Employ your team in accordance with its’ capabilities – Know the limitations of your self, your people and your department. Don’t look to take on more than you should. By knowing your limitations, you’ll know when to call in the reinforcements.

    Kevin J. Cook – HR Manager

    1. I read your article ” The 9 Essential Skills of Human Resources Management: How Many Do You Have?” and was amazed by how closely it falls in line with the 11 Leadership Principles that are taught in the US Armed Forces. As a US Navy Reserve Senior Enlisted Leader and a 2 time OIF Vet, I found the similarity striking.

      The 11 Leadership Priniciples will work for all business leader also.

      They are:

      11 Leadership Principles of the US Armed Forces

      1. Know yourself and seek self-improvement – By properly evaluating your own weaknesses/strengths and looking to improve those areas daily, you will continually improve your ability & performance – Make sure your staff follows this also.

      2. Be technically and tactically proficient – Keep current with the latest technical developments in your field of expertise and know how to deploy your resources for the maximum return on investment – another great development principle for your employees.

      3. Develop a sense of responsibility among your subordinates – Drive accountability down to the base level among your staff – Make sure they are aware that you will hold them accountable for their actions and assignments.

      4. Make sound and timely decisions – Make sure that your decisions are well thought out and take into account all relevant information – Don’t act rashly or out of anger, desperation or any other emotional state.

      5. Set the example – Lead from the front – make sure that your staff sees you as the role model Be visible in your daily activities – hold yourself to a higher standard – this will motivate subordinates to improve themselves.

      6. Know your people and look out for their welfare – Only by demonstrating that you are interested and concerned for their welfare will you win their loyalty. A good leader is a compassionate listener and understands what motivates his/her staff.

      7. Keep your people informed – Information is the life’s blood of any organization and only good if it is shared across the widest possible spectrum. Share your ideas and knowledge with your staff – this will make them feel included and valuable.

      8. Seek responsibility and take responsibility for your actions – Be prepared for your next assignment and take charge of all areas of responsibility – if a mistake is made, stand up & take the heat. By doing so, you will demonstrate a key principle of leadership – We all make mistakes, we are all fallible but it is how we respond to our mistakes that separate the professionals from the pretenders.

      9. Ensure assigned tasks are understood, supervised, and accomplished – You need to trust your people but verify – Trust your employees to do their job but verify it has been done to your standards. By doing so, you will make sure that you are involved, accountable and creditable with your superiors.

      10. Train your people as a team – Have your staff work together as a team and cross train on each others responsibilities. This allows them to utilize each other’s strengths and to feed off of the team synergy. Teamwork develops a sense of shared responsibility and commitment to the objective.

      11. Employ your team in accordance with its’ capabilities – Know the limitations of your self, your people and your department. Don’t look to take on more than you should. By knowing your limitations, you’ll know when to call in the reinforcements.

      Kevin J. Cook – HR Manager

      1. The 9 Essential Skills of Human Resource Management-How Many Do You Have? article correlates with the knowledge in my Master of Arts in Human Resource Management.

        I didn’t even think about the 11 Leadership Principles of the US Armed Forces but, this could be utilized as a Human Resource Director.

        Thanks for the information!

        Catherine Lunn

  2. well, thank your for the wonderful article. it has helped me enhance and widen my brain knowledge in human resource management issues and i being a student of human resource management, am so happy with it. keep on updating us guys.

  3. well, thank your for the wonderful article. it has helped me enhance and widen my brain knowledge in human resource management issues and i being a student of human resource management, am so happy with it. keep on updating us guys.

  4. very informative article, i am about to start my HR program in september so this was a great head start for me

  5. very informative article, i am about to start my HR program in september so this was a great head start for me

  6. Your article is a very educating one that is capable of wining the non-HR personnel to the HR profession. keep it up guys

  7. Your article is a very educating one that is capable of wining the non-HR personnel to the HR profession. keep it up guys

  8. Im an HR officer , who wants to improve my career and I do need to be update with the new HR issues and changing trends .

  9. Im an HR officer , who wants to improve my career and I do need to be update with the new HR issues and changing trends .

  10. well, thank your for the wonderful article. it has helped me enhance and widen my brain knowledge in human resource management issues and i being a student of human resource management, am so happy with it. keep on updating us guys.

  11. i really liked your article….it has helped me a lot and now i am very confident that i can start up my career in this.Thank you so much for this information………………..

  12. A great help while training HR freshers. Makes a good presentation. Can be used to elicit responses and relate real or imaginary situations. A good activity too!

  13. I would like to know what level of organisations support this type of proffessionals in current scenareo? Coz neither management nor employees would understand and accept the work of hr. Most of the time mainly at junior levels hr has to obey the management even if he feels its against hr ethics….

  14. Sir,
    your article is very educative and moreover practical. Initially we may feel some what difficult while regulating your suggested tips, but finely it leads to a excellent management environment within the Organisation.
    I would like to know about the latest development in HR sector.

  15. Sir,
    your article is very educative and moreover practical. Initially we may feel some what difficult while regulating your suggested tips, but finely it leads to a excellent management environment within the Organisation.
    I would like to know about the latest development in HR sector.

  16. Very informative article! It is obvious that a significant amount of experience in HR Management was utilized to compile this list. The only point I would include under Multitasking is the need to be flexible and proactive.

  17. Very informative article! It is obvious that a significant amount of experience in HR Management was utilized to compile this list. The only point I would include under Multitasking is the need to be flexible and proactive.

  18. Greetings.
    sir i went through the article, as a HR student it made me to recognize the essential for a successful HR, as the language of the article has the simplicity, it made easy to go through it.We peoples expect your informative articles again. THANK YOU

  19. Greetings.
    sir i went through the article, as a HR student it made me to recognize the essential for a successful HR, as the language of the article has the simplicity, it made easy to go through it.We peoples expect your informative articles again. THANK YOU

  20. *Absolutely realistic and practical*

    Hello Jay Schleifer,

    While you shared the above in 2006, I must admit that, these are even relevant to gen-next organisations as well as easy to follow checklist for HR professionals, even today.

    Highly reccomend this read to all budding HR managers.

    Thanks a lot for sharing 🙂

    Best Regards

    Saudamini

    8Oct11

  21. *Absolutely realistic and practical*

    Hello Jay Schleifer,

    While you shared the above in 2006, I must admit that, these are even relevant to gen-next organisations as well as easy to follow checklist for HR professionals, even today.

    Highly reccomend this read to all budding HR managers.

    Thanks a lot for sharing 🙂

    Best Regards

    Saudamini

    8Oct11

    1. Thank you, Saudamini. It’s gratifying to see that this article, the very first one in HR Daily Advisor, remains helpful to HR professionals, even almost 10 years later. And I’ll tell you another thing, BLR is both a great source of information … and a great place to work.

      Jay Schleifer
      Former Managing Editor,
      HR Daily Advisor and Safety Daily Acvisor.

  22. Hello, I am currently in a Human Resources Internship with a National Trucking Association. The Association just launched, and I am going to be the HR Manager. The skills mentioned are very helpful for me, I’m only 22 years of age starting out in a cooperate company. I am a little nervous but I’m sure I can handle the job, is there anything you can recommend me to do, as for moving forward.

  23. Hello, I am currently in a Human Resources Internship with a National Trucking Association. The Association just launched, and I am going to be the HR Manager. The skills mentioned are very helpful for me, I’m only 22 years of age starting out in a cooperate company. I am a little nervous but I’m sure I can handle the job, is there anything you can recommend me to do, as for moving forward.

  24. re: The 9 Essential Skills of Human Resources Management – How Many Do You Have?

    This is an excellent article for fresh,experienced as well as line managers.It can be used as a course content for training HR managers and other relevent training programs.

  25. Very glade to provide a wonderful Article.. Can u provide some information 4 a fresher, who jst join a Manufacturing Company as a HR Head. It is very urgent, can u plz help me out?
    I need some information abt how an fresher can handle all the responsibilities? Provide some tips to make me easy and comfortable.

  26. I was appalled and saddened to review the comments on this truly great and useful article. So many of them have atrocious grammar and bad spelling, not to mention the limitation of thought. Truly makes me cringe to think that these individuals might already be in – or planning to pursue- Human Resource career.

  27. I was appalled and saddened to review the comments on this truly great and useful article. So many of them have atrocious grammar and bad spelling, not to mention the limitation of thought. Truly makes me cringe to think that these individuals might already be in – or planning to pursue- Human Resource career.

  28. Hi, I am working as HR & Admin-Manager in a MNC company at Pondicherry This artical is very useful and I apply this on my job.

  29. Hi, I am working as HR & Admin-Manager in a MNC company at Pondicherry This artical is very useful and I apply this on my job.

  30. This article is improving our knowledge to the greater level of study and expriencing mucher and better skills in I-solution of the HR managing.
    I am a student in the university of limpopo(turfloop campus) doing Bcom economics. I see my self improving much better in terms of getting more from your article. i thank you and looking forward to be updated by your new comings tackling of studying and motivation knowledge.

  31. This article is improving our knowledge to the greater level of study and expriencing mucher and better skills in I-solution of the HR managing.
    I am a student in the university of limpopo(turfloop campus) doing Bcom economics. I see my self improving much better in terms of getting more from your article. i thank you and looking forward to be updated by your new comings tackling of studying and motivation knowledge.

  32. thanks guy 4providing a good article of 9 essential of HRM, God bless u and go on with updating us about HRM as I’m a HRM STUDENTS u help me a lots

  33. thanks guy 4providing a good article of 9 essential of HRM, God bless u and go on with updating us about HRM as I’m a HRM STUDENTS u help me a lots

  34. A very good write-up describing functions and challenges faced by professionals in HR Department. A new entrant must see this article before taking charge in HR domain. I feel that HR department must have right attitude of mother to his son/daughter to ensure his/her overall development so that fame of the family gets heightened. And at the same time she should not communicate everything to her husband in respect of her son/daughter’s attitude in order that her husband gets absorbed his own work successfully.

  35. A very good write-up describing functions and challenges faced by professionals in HR Department. A new entrant must see this article before taking charge in HR domain. I feel that HR department must have right attitude of mother to his son/daughter to ensure his/her overall development so that fame of the family gets heightened. And at the same time she should not communicate everything to her husband in respect of her son/daughter’s attitude in order that her husband gets absorbed his own work successfully.

  36. Hi, very useful article, it helped me alot i am having a interview tomorrow, i was confused about hr functions and skills but now i got i am quite confident now. Hope succeed tomorrow.,thanks

  37. Hi this is a nice article for the freshes. Today i got a interview call they ask about skills and functions i got confused, but this article gave me clear information. thanks

  38. Hello, this is a very useful and knowledgeable article. It helps me a lot in understand the actual skill of a human resourse management. Now i feel more confident .

  39. I am a company nurse in a food company. I do multitasking. I’m assigned to HR department. From company nurse, to encoder of payroll, reliever of receptionist, benefits,assistant of payroll for outgoing documents, etc.,

    My immediate supervisor is the HR Manager. I reported directly to her. However, when there are things that she want me to do, she doesn’t order me or tell it to me directly. Instead, she would asked other HR staff to tell it to me. I am upset whenever she does it. My table is just right in front of her,she can call me to order or tell what she want me to do but she never did.

    When there are complains she never let me air my side, never let me explain. She would set deadlines or cut off for processing some documents but she would be the one to break it. There’s a dress code at work but only those HR staff follow it,other staff from other departments does not. And yet she never give actions to it.

    When ever I made some proposals for enhancing the medical department,she never help me brought it on the management or she never try to air it on the management. I give my reports on deadline but she reply to it like after 3 weeks.

    Management call for general assembly and yet professional or office staff ot included, only those worker from production area. Management show to us that the important thing for them is always the production crews. Where is the fairness to that? Whenever there is complain from production crew automatically they are the one who’s right, our explanation as an office staff is not needed anymore.

    Our management is not really fair but our HR Manager never try to tell it to the management. Whatever the management wants her to do she follows,of course that is right but there are situations in which it is unacceptable already.

    Office staff complains was never heard, she never air it to the management even if she hears it. But when a Service Crew or production crew does, as fast as the wind they will give actions to it. totally unfair.

  40. really,i must comment this is excellent,i graduated as a student of marketing,going through this write-up a see a strong correlation between marketing which focuses on hoe to satisfy your customers effectively and efficiently in such a way that along time loyalty is built with the firm.and HRM;in that hrm is also focused on welfare of certain people known to be the employee so that they can be seen as an asset and not a tool.am already considering a career in HRM i hope am on course,since currently am taking a course in business management.

  41. I am executive H.R. It was a fantastic artical, I like this all 9 skill and I will try to implement in my work. I hope it will become more trustfull and more usable in Modern organization.
    Thanks for this article keep it up guyes.

  42. I am executive H.R. It was a fantastic artical, I like this all 9 skill and I will try to implement in my work. I hope it will become more trustfull and more usable in Modern organization.
    Thanks for this article keep it up guyes.

  43. It’s a very nice article which helps the HR professional to be Professional in their organizational Environment.

  44. It’s a very nice article which helps the HR professional to be Professional in their organizational Environment.

  45. This is the first article m reading abt human resource. you gave informative Article on Human resource Skills and these are major points to remember. As m starting my studies on HR so these will be act as guide lines for cultivate more knowledge.
    Thanks You Sir

  46. This is the first article m reading abt human resource. you gave informative Article on Human resource Skills and these are major points to remember. As m starting my studies on HR so these will be act as guide lines for cultivate more knowledge.
    Thanks You Sir

  47. I want to know whether Recruitment will be a career growth for an HR, that is he can become hre generalist in future…

  48. I want to know whether Recruitment will be a career growth for an HR, that is he can become hre generalist in future…

  49. I want to know whether Recruitment will be a career growth for an HR, that is he can become hre generalist in future…

  50. I’m a seasoned HR professional of 10+ plus years. This is no surprise but I would actually share this information with my managers and directors so they know the role and value of HR.

  51. I like your article! It’s broken down well and would thus serve as a great tool for interested parties but I tend to think that there may be a bit more to H.R management. I’m currently carrying out a study in the Kenyan market to find out exactly what skills and knowledge are most essential here for these professionals. Also, the optimal mix of skills, knowledge, experience will be covered as part of the study. I hope to be sharing this with you all soon, should you care for it.

  52. This is very very enlightening.Thanks alot.I am presently studying Economics in Lagos State University,Nigeria.I am in my 3rd year and I intend to build a career in HR.I will be very glad if anyone can put me through.my email is abiodunjinadu31@yahoo.com

  53. Hi..I am lucky to find your Article i will develop all the Qualities required for an HR Professional.

  54. concerning from i have saw,tips are very much essential and demanding so in conclusion this is motivating a lot.

  55. Very informative and also its definitely will be useful for all the HR professions who are experienced and also to those who wanted to start their career in HR. Thanks a lot for posting this.

  56. I absolutely appreciate the article.I found it clear, complete and interesting.
    Beeing an HR Professional is not that easy nowadays.
    However, dealing dealy with different tasks, potencials, managers, employees, deciding and solving problems in a different way, make HR positions very challanging and satisfactional!
    Like most of my colleagues, I also share the idea that working in HR is really a passion. We are committed and motivaded to do our best to reach Company goals, developing cultures where people are the key factor to succeed.

  57. Beautifully put! I agree with your assessment. Never realized how much multi-tasking was crucial til going into HR.

  58. Well, I got some sort of information about HR from these 9 skills and am a student of first yr MBA. I want to a HR in future.. so, need more information about HR and what and all steps I should take myself to improve.
    Kindly giver some valuable information about HR’s..
    Send me feedback in my mail id..

    1. Very responding information.I get this information as newly hired Human Resource, i need this kind of data to use in my daily routine to my job…..thank you so much for giving help the others….

  59. This article is realy very informative and it helps me to enhance my HR skils. I am a HR Jr. Officer working in MNC.

  60. hey thanks for that well i am in a project at school and i an creating a compagny and i am the hr manager in that compagny and this is going to help me a lot

  61. Dual Focus is like multiple personality disorder specific to HRs. Some would argue that there is need to balance employees ethos with company values likewise there is a also need of making that balance right, transparency is one solution you can guess the other.

  62. This is short but really impressive article about HR management, Stephen B. explained very well. Basically, it is important to acknowledge everything about the HR management skills. Thanks!

  63. What can I say, I couldn’t resist the title of this blog! I’m sure other professionals in human resources also found themselves unable to resist. Each skill is so crucial to the role of an HR consultant. While no HR consultant is perfect or has every skill, working in human resources you need to be balanced as a person and have a little bit of each skill.

  64. yep..the data you mentioned is exactly appropiate and i think the body language also plays major role in activity of hr

  65. Hola:

    Gracias por vuestro articulo, todo lo que indicais sobre el tiempo que una persona dedica en su puesto de recursos humanos, más todo aquello que debe atender y estar pendiente, es correcto y estamos de acuerdo contigo.

    Un gran artículo, saludos y gracias.

  66. In my candid opinion, I think this is one of the best articles I have come across. I studied Human Resources Management and I have been on job hunt for roughly 3 years. I think I will add some of your skills here to my CV in order to scale through shortlisting stage the next time I apply for a job. Thank you very much for sharing this amazing piece with us.

  67. Its a good website for increase knowledge about human resource management and human resource department

  68. Hellow guys I have a question actually based on HR manager, It says “Analyse and explain the organistion, informational and communicational roles and skills needed from HR manager in a globalised world?”

  69. All management is trial and error as I know it. But processes could be definitely streamlined and risks mitigated with automation.

  70. Pingback: mancruzajack
  71. These tips and qualities really inspired my mind alot – I want to become an HR and i am looking and searching for HR’s who are already experienced in their work and passion , i have been researching about this since 6 months – so,if anyone saw my comment, please help me out by sharing your experience towards this Stream !! waiting for some more tips – Thanking you

  72. Nice article, but where is financial acumen? Negotiation is a part of it, but understanding and messaging to leadership how human capital impacts the bottom line is a must have. Being able to grasp and relate the cost of a vacant position; the cost of attrition, recruiting, training, tribal knowledge values, and OT can make or break a company.

  73. Emotional intelligence is another extremely important traits to become a successful hr. Manager . Because it is all about human capital and human is full of emotions we should try to crack all the emotions filled in important human capital.

    thanks

  74. Dear Sir,

    Thanks for your explanation on HR skills. But I would like to get more clarification on the 3rd point Dealing with Grey. Could you please explain it more?

    Thanks

  75. This is a great assessment of the nine most important skills needed by an HR professional. I believe even in lower level positions this is most important. These skills are by no means easy to acquire, but are necessary for the continuation of our business. I love HR because you wear so many different hats in one day and you never know what question will come next.

  76. Im studying HR management, but Im still in my second year of university. Though my instructors say that im suitable for being an hr manager, i still have the fear that being transparent to others might affect my work( for example, if any situation might force me to lie, its too obvious for people to know that im lying). Do you think i might be good enough in the future as an hr manager ? And what do you require me to do to gain more experience in this feild? And if there are any hr managers here, may you tell me the process and years it took you to become an hr manager ?

  77. Most of the individuals commenting on this article would NEVER be considered for an HR position. I would love to see some of their resumes! LOL
    If I were hired at a company and one of these idiots handled my on-boarding, I would resign before I started. Thanks for the laughs.

  78. Hi
    I read each and every sentence which had been posted in the page.It is quite interesting and encouraging one due to which every HR think in a different way.
    1.In an employ first we have seen whether he fit for the position the position we are hiring.
    2.whether he can manageable to that position and he can handle.
    3.whether he maintain timesence and he should think like any other people think.

  79. Good article on the 9 essential skills of HR people. I haven’t seen it expressed quite so succinctly before.

    You covered the nuances of HR that most non-HR people have no idea about and I believe it’s those nuances that separate the good HR people from the great HR people.

    Thanks.

    1. Yes, but if you don’t already have some HR experience it’s kind of tough to get in there. I have the same degree and that has been a bit of a barrier.

  80. Nice detail of key skills and articals. I think these are most effective and sufficient to run any office in good manners.

  81. Dear Stephen,

    Thank you for your thought-provoking article. Indeed the work environment is challenging and its getting more so as competition intensifies. I couldn’t agree more with whatever you’ve said.

    You have rightly highlighted that besides the skills and technical expertise, there are also fundamental orientations towards life, towards people, towards the use of power, the balancing of business needs with people’s needs… what is it they stand for. You have expressed them succinctly under “Discrete & Ethical”. This is what, I believe, yields credibility and trust.

    Kevin Cock – Thank you for sharing the 11 leadership principles. They are very practical.

    Thanks & best regards,
    Anil

  82. I think thses tips are very impotant. Every person either he belongs to HR or Administration should have these tips for the successful of his company or office.

  83. Hi
    it will be very useful to add a factor called Human Resource Development as part of HR
    This entails an ongoing process of Skill inventory of the organization
    This process has a two fold advantage.One:To detect the skill available for meeting the tasks that come up on daily basis or as a sudden organizational need. Two:Help in formulating “Succession” plan.This will enable you to fill in a position that might fall vacant due to some one leaving organization without any notice.

  84. This all information is very useful for me and its used for my carrier to developed my skills
    thank you

  85. Thanks , I’ve recently been searching for information about this topic for ages and yours is the greatest I have discovered so far. But, what about the conclusion? Are you sure about the source?

  86. It is a good scheme, however I thought that it is very important to set a time frame to achieve basic results as may be set by the organization

  87. very informative article…All these nine things are very important for HR Managers.Even these things are very important for smaller organizations. HR Software play a key role in any organization.

  88. I want to let you know, Jay Schleifer and Steve Bruce, that you didn’t get it right. Not one single tiny bit. And I’m furious. I came to this site expecting to learn something about business but no. I still have the same number of brain cells as I did when I came here. I swear to God, my autistic dog could write a better article with his 125 extra chromosomes. This article honestly made me want to consider suicide. I’m not even kidding. Look at the suicide hotline records.

  89. Yikes – I didn’t see Business Acumen listed. In my experience, HR folks who don’t understand the business side of the company (the client, the customer, the ROI) really struggle to get the ear of Sr. Leadership and have trouble getting their programs approved. HR must be able to talk the language of business, strategy, cost/benefit.

  90. Two problems. Discrete and discreet are entirely different words. Discrete means distinct. Discreet is more akin to keeping information confidential. And multitasking isn’t a skill. It’s a myth that has been debunked repeatedly by neuroscience. Juggling numerous tasks is not multitasking. It’s simply being busy.

  91. I agree with other commenters that knowledge of the business and gaps in productivity is crucial to success in HR. Everyone should be on the same page so that the best candidates are chosen to join the team. Anyhow, I love that organization is #1! Organization = sanity, especially in recruitment. How can you pick the best fit if you don’t have all of the info and to-dos in one place, laid out clearly? The best way to do so is to get a collaborative hiring platform. Thanks for sharing!

  92. What about you see a boss who shout and accuse you for not complying in your probation period of employment. No proper induction but formality meeting just talk without giving important document.
    If you get and write on you intidation letter without requesting you explanation and identifying the problem. What will be your response as an employee

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