There are times when I am asked my opinion by young people who are trying to decide on a career if HR is a good option. Frequently, this question is followed by a statement explaining that they are really quiet and they feel HR would be their best bet.

Oh boy!

Nothing could be further from the truth. In my experience there are about 9 crucial skills that HR professionals should possess. And trust me; none of them have anything to do with being a “quiet” person who just hides behind a desk trying to blend in with the office cubicle.

Super Organized

Needless to say, organizational skills are at the core of a successful HR professional. This involves not only organizing your own time but ensuring that others are following a system.

Flexible and Adaptable

On any given day, an HR professional could be handling a recruitment drive, a disciplinary issue and a wrongful termination situation. In short, they need to be able to think on their feet and have the ability to handle potentially volatile situations with tact.

Discerning

There are many grey areas in HR. Even though there are policies and procedures, very often most incidents are not clearly black or white. The HR professional will need to be able to dig deeper for more clarity and have the aptitude to look at things from different perspectives.

Negotiator

When things are not clear-cut, the HR professional needs to have savvy negotiating skills to find solutions that work in the best interest of all concerned.

Communicator

It is not easy being the conduit of information for the organization. The HR professional will need to be able to communicate difficult decisions and situations to both employees and management.

Discrete & Ethical

The HR professional has to be someone who possesses a strong character with an uncompromising view of what is ethical or not. They need to know when to remain silent and when to speak up.

Bi-Focus

It is not an easy role for the HR professional because they have the best interest of the organization at heart and they need to protect the rights of the employees as well. It is a difficult tight rope to walk and the HR professional will need to be impartial yet focused.

Troubleshooter

The astute HR professional will be adept at spotting potential conflict zones and possess the skills necessary to manage the conflict should it erupt and be skilled in helping the parties concerned come to an agreeable solution.

Change Agent

Things hardly remain the same in the business world. Businesses down-size, merge or in extreme cases even cease to operate. The HR professional has a crucial role to play as an agent of change in such an environment. They will need to be able to lead, to influence and to soothe.

As you can see, the consummate HR professional is one who is far from just being a quiet person. They are the anchor in troubled waters and the rudder that steers the organization in the right path.

– Davidson