This is a guest post from Gemma Reeves. Gemma is a seasoned writer who enjoys creating helpful articles and interesting stories. She has worked with several clients across different industries such as advertising, online marketing, technology, healthcare, family matters, and more. She is also an aspiring entrepreneur who is engaged in assisting other aspiring entrepreneurs in finding the best office space for their business.
In any office in any industry, the Human Resources (HR) department is one of the most essential components of the organization. As companies need more people to run day to day operations, the need for efficient HR managers continue to grow.
Good HR managers and personnel can easily reflect on the company’s employees and its work culture. When the office remains a healthy and conducive environment for teamwork, collaboration and idea-sharing, part of that success is due to a good HR manager.
When employees’ needs are taken cared of and satisfaction at work is high, that is partly thanks also to a great HR manager. But what exactly makes a successful HR manager? Below are 5 main characteristics to watch for:
Adherence to a code of ethics
In many ways, the HR department are in charge of disseminating company rules and policies, so it is important for an HR manager to actually lead by example. Rules and policies can be easily disregarded when other employees see that there is no equal application and protection.
HR managers and personnel should be the first in line to uphold fairness in the workplace. Even simple rules such as following office hours (punctuality), meeting deadlines and requirements should be observed – and these are the basic qualities indeed of a good and successful HR manager.
HR Managers should also know how to protect confidential matters – especially pertaining to personal records of employees. Professionalism and discretion should be exercised at all times, and not as a way of using it against any employee or department.
Has personal knowledge of the company’s organization, mission and vision
A huge part of an HR’s job is to understand the concerns of every employee. This would be hard to realize if an HR manager has no working knowledge of the company’s structure and core beliefs.
The lack of knowledge will of course reflect in the hiring and selection process (getting the wrong people for the job), and in the inability to solve problems within the workplace (especially those involving collaboration).
Successful HR managers know the company inside and out. That is how they can spot the right talent, determine the right department for certain jobs, and even improve the floor plans of an office space to ensure better teamwork and collaboration.
Maintains constant coordination and delegation
As mentioned, a successful HR manager knows how to improve the collaboration and efficiency of each employee and team in the workplace. Other than that, a good HR manager knows how to effectively liaise between the upper management and the rest of the workforce.
An HR manager should be able to relay the common concerns of employees to the management, and even suggest ways to improve processes, systems and ultimately recommend/recognize hard working employees.
The HR department is also in charge of organizing company events and events that are in partnership with the company (such as fun runs and charity events). The setup, preparation and promotions of the event would not be possible without coordination and the delegation of tasks to the right people.
A good problem solver
In any given workplace, tensions and disagreements are inevitable. Whether that be disagreements between employees, or between the management and employees, several issues will always arise every now and then.
Of course, the HR are tasked to diffuse any brewing tension or at least come up with a solution that can strike a balance between two conflicting interests. And this is why HR managers should have a natural talent when it comes to problem solving and dealing with different types of people. On top of that, he/she must be able to maintain a cool head despite any tension.
Upholds open, two-way communication
As a liaison between employees and upper management, an HR manager should be approachable and open for any type of communication. This means that employees should be able to trust him/her when it comes to airing out concerns, and that employees are also assured that their concerns will be addressed in the most professional and realistic way possible.
Being an HR manager could be challenging because you will constantly find yourself in the middle of conflicting interests and disagreements. But with a strong leadership skill, conviction and ethics, it is possible to become the best in the field.
About the Author: Jocelyn Pick
