The Makings of a Great Human Resources Professional
Jan. 17, 2006
Human Resources plays a central role in any business with over a few employees, but it has been the target of some rather negative "press" over the last few years. Whether or not those working in HR actually deserve such comments is a matter of opinion, but it is important that new hires to the human resources department be extremely proficient in their work. Furthermore, those who are already working in human resources and who are exceptional in their work should be recognized as such.
To begin with, a superior human resources pro must be a very holistic individual who is ready to step up to the plate and take responsibility for a large range of different tasks without losing motivation when things get tough - because they will.
The primary abilities of a strong human resources team member are split among administrative and different strategic human resources elements. Among these are:
Reliability - if anybody needs to be counted upon, it is a member of the HR team. HR needs to get the word done, and follow through on all assignments.
Superior Communication - due to the number of official documents, as well as communications among the different staff members, an HR professional will need fantastic communication skills, both written and verbally.
Actively listens - an HR professional must be able to take in, comprehend, and synthesize many different ideas and perspectives without being argumentative or closed minded.
Actively participates - instead of sitting back and waiting to be assigned different tasks, an HR professional must be prepared to do as they are assigned, and take on additional responsibilities as they arise. They must be fully engaged in the work of their team and not simply passively watch the workday go by.
Problem solver - HR is always faced with a slew of different problems that have arisen due to the very large number of different situations and exceptions that pop up with every day. Therefore, a fantastic problem solving ability is vital for anyone who expects to make it in an HR career.
With these qualities, HR professionals make up a truly exceptional package that should be highly respected and recognized when it is found.
