The 9 Essential Skills of Human Resources Management

A dedicated human resources manager is the backbone of a successful business. Human resource managers create a safe, efficient workplace by balancing business-related needs with employee relations and demands. Their job duties often include benefits management, conflict mediation, applicant interviews and employee training. Many human resource professionals also promote or terminate employees, and are responsible for compiling evidence after allegations of harassment or discrimination.

Basically, human resource managers do everything a business needs to thrive. That’s why it’s essential that HR managers are equipped with a wide variety of interpersonal skills to effectively handle their hectic workdays.

Not quite sure what that means? Whether you’re a business owner seeking the perfect human resources professionals or a current HR manager interested in personal development, our list of essantial HR management skills below can help take your HR department to the next level.

Key Skill #1: Communication

Communication is arguably one of the most important soft skills a human resources manager must possess. A qualified HR manager needs strong written and verbal communication skills to handle daily tasks and meet company standards. These soft skills include active listening skills, honesty and integrity, utilizing emotional intelligence when conversing, and more. Here are several examples of HR duties that require excellent communication skills:

• Salary negotiation
• Employee benefits package explanation
• Conflict resolution
• Company presentations
• Employee handbook updates

Nonverbal communication skills are also essential for human resource managers. Simple signals such as tone of voice, facial expression, posture and personal space given can dictate the flow of a conversation, and the response of your employees. Similarly, you can pick up on the nonverbal communication of others, helping you understand how they feel. Nonverbal communication helps an HR manager determine whether people are uncomfortable, dishonest or confused during conversations or presentations. These skills are essential for an HR manager, especially in situations like an employee filing a discrimination claim or a new candidate undergoes a job interview.

Key Skill #2: Organization

It’s difficult to manage the needs of employees and business owners if you lack organizational skills. When an employee visits the HR office with a question or concern, the manager may not immediately know the answer. However, they should have the experience to know exactly where to find the requested information.

Many HR managers organize information online as well as offline. That means there may be stacks of file folders with general company information as well as digital programs with sensitive data. Human resources managers often benefit from resource management software for payroll, employee schedules and benefit package management. Business-oriented software streamlines HR management by providing important information on one convenient platform.

Key Skill #3: Tech Savvy

Gone are the days where HR managers would pound away on typewriters or draft performance reviews by hand. Many human resources professionals rely on visual planning software, digital spreadsheets and online databases to complete their job. A tech-savvy HR manager may also create PowerPoint presentations, update company blogs and track workplace analytics.

Going digital and enhancing the technical skills of your human resources management team may even reduce the need for overtime. A whopping 94% of business professionals say that Visual Planning software helps them save time. Time management is one of the most important human resources skills, as approximately 1 out of 3 HR managers works more than 40 hours per week.

Key Skill #4: Flexibility

Structure helps a business run smoothly, but HR management requires plenty of flexibility. Job duties vary daily, and unexpected issues may arise at any time. It’s impossible to predict when a workplace injury may occur or whether a benefit provider may abruptly change their policies. Flexibility is a vital professional skill, especially as an HR manager oversees the employees of an entire company.

Key Skill #5: Patience

This also describes the life of an HR manager. During an average workday, an HR manager may handle complaints ranging from “I don’t want to sit by Judy because she smells” to serious personal issues like “Ross won’t stop touching me and saying I’m beautiful.” You may also have to deal with complaints about insurance and other benefit providers for your company or mediate conflicts between workers and their bosses.

All of this requires a calm, patient personality. HR managers are relied on to be advocates for employees and to handle their problems, whether they involve major concerns or trivial disagreements.

Key Skill #6: Negotiation

When an employee comes to HR management with an issue, they often believe they’re right, and the other parties involved are wrong. This is true whether the complaint involves pay, hours, job duties or another problem.

When issues like this arise, an HR manager diffuses conflict by negotiating with employees. The following situations may warrant negotiations:

• A new employee with extensive experience or a college degree requests a higher salary than the normal starting rate
• A current employee threatens to quit if they don’t receive a raise
• An employee wants to remain at the company but can’t handle the current schedule
• An employee refuses to work with a specific manager

In these situations, the skills of a human resources manager must encompass negotiation, so they can  find compromises that benefit the company as well as the employee.

Key Skill #7: Ethical Actions

Human resource management requires a strong sense of ethics and the ability to take actions that preserve the integrity of all parties involved. However, that’s tricky because HR issues often involve gray areas where even the most effective leaders cannot identify clear solutions.

A skilled HR manager must be able to sift through conflicting information to make tough decisions when right and wrong answers aren’t obvious. These decisions must always protect the company and its employees. That means HR professionals must be mindful that their solutions never result in favoritism, racism, sexism or other forms of discrimination or preferential behavior.

Key Skill #8: Compassion

Many employees are terrified to request personal time, even when companies offer generous plans. Workers worry management might view them as lazy, irresponsible or uncommitted to their duties.

As an HR manager, it’s important to remember employees have lives beyond the workplace. When an employee confides they are taking time off of work, an HR manager shouldn’t judge or interrogate them. An HR manager should also apply emotional intelligence to treat employees fairly and respectfully if they complain about serious matters such as sexual harassment or racism in the workplace.

Key Skill #9: Commitment

In order to be successful, a human resources specialist should genuinely care about the state of the company. It’s difficult for an apathetic HR manager to provide guidance and resources to employees.

Dedication and loyalty are essential traits for HR managers. An HR expert must possess the fundamental skills to fully complete projects and administrative duties, resolve issues and address employee needs. Half-hearted attempts may make employees feel inadequate or undervalued, which could lead to high turnover rates. Even if employees stick around, they may not do their best work if they don’t feel appreciated or respected.

Human resource management requires more key skills than traditional management. If you or your company’s HR manager lack the skills above, don’t give up just yet. Schedule training, install helpful software and establish goals for effective HR management.