Which of the two pictures below you see when you knock the window of your local HR? Please respond by answering first or second. A majority of top HR managers share these qualities (in no particular order): 1. Active Listener. Being a great manager means more than nodding your head when an employee comes to you with an issue. Employees want to know they have your full attention because they often expect an answer or proposed solution to their issue right then and there. Active listening requires the listener to understand, interpret, and evaluate what they hear. The ability to listen actively can improve personal relationships by reducing conflicts, strengthening cooperation, and fostering understanding. 2. Delegator. It not only makes sense that you want and need to get more done by delegating, but its important to the development of your HR team. Most of us do not enjoy being micro-managed because it gives us the feeling that we are not trusted or lack the necessary skills to do the job. Conversely, having important tasks delegated to the HR team makes team members feel valued and they get to learn where they need help and where they excel. 3. Leader. Managers have to be leaders or the ship goes nowhere. The team needs to know what is expected, what the goals of the organization are and how their performance relates to achieving those goals. Simply telling people what to do is not leadership. 4. Motivator. Your HR team and employees should not only know what is expected they should be inspired to want to do their best. Because we are all different and have different goals and needs, a manager who motivates must be very involved with their team to know and understand what motivates each person and give it to them. 5. Approachable. You are never too busy to be concerned for your employees. They are your constituents and a great HR manager can drop everything and truly have an open door for anyone that needs their time. Even if you are busy you can be approachable, but you have to walk the walk. 6. Trusted Adviser. HR is often seen by the organizations employees as the police. Great HR managers rise above this image by creating an atmosphere of trust. HR managers are facilitators and solution providers and provide guidance for the organizations employees at all levels. Great HR managers build and maintain the trust of their employees through honest and straightforward communications and interactions. 7. Developer. Great HR managers are in tune with what their employees need and put training in place to develop their workforce to its greatest potential. Mentoring and developing talent takes time and commitment, but ultimately makes the organization better and creates more loyalty from the employees. People like to know that their employer cares about their success and is interested in helping them achieve. 8. Decision Maker. Employees need to be motivated and have the training they need to be great at their jobs, but they also need direction. Great HR managers are strategic planners who make decisions about the workforce and give their team direction. They arent afraid to make the hard decisions for the benefit of the organization, even if that means losing jobs. If the organization doesn’t survive, no one will have a job. 9. Innovator. Not every issue that comes up in HR has a ready or easy solution. Great HR managers think outside the box to deliver the best solutions for their employees and organization no matter what the issue. There isn’t always a budget to get programs underway or develop new ideas and creative thinking can get things accomplished in spite of the obstacles. 10. Presenter. Great presenters capture their audiences’ attention, keep them engaged and deliver the message in a positive and creative manner that people remember. Training and speaking is a big part of HR and great HR Managers have learned to be powerful presenters.
Posted on: Sat, 28 Jun 2014 19:48:46 +0000