For many years, the HR department was seen as the “behind-the-scenes” crew, often tucked away in companies’ back offices, crunching numbers and compiling paperwork. 

But times have changed, and modern HR professionals aren’t just paper pushers. HR teams are now at the forefront of a successful organization, playing an integral role in workforce planning, talent management, and organizational development. 

And with this paradigm shift comes a need for different skills and abilities.

Today, organizations are counting on their HR teams to bring more to the table than ever before, and the skills needed for success in 2023 are different from those of years past. To stay ahead of the curve in 2023 and beyond, here are the top 4 skills HR professionals will need to arm themselves with:

#1: Become an expert in change management

Change is inevitable, but how we respond to change is within our control. As HR teams know all too well, navigating an organization through a tumultuous period of transformation is no easy task. 

The COVID-19 pandemic taught us that lesson in a big way, with many companies forced to adapt quickly and transition to remote work, restructure teams, and take on new considerations to ensure the safety of their employees. 

For HR people, this move to the new normal was like a sudden crash course in managing the unpredictable and the unknown — something many of them soon found themselves tackling on a regular basis as the pandemic progressed.

The Covid-19 pandemic was just one of the many examples of how quickly things can change and how important it is for HR teams to be well-equipped to handle any situation. 

Pick up any successful company’s history, and you’ll find a series of dramatic changes. Some small, some big. Some anticipated, some unexpected. Some planned, some chaotic. But all necessary to bring the company to where it is today. And almost all of them require HR to be the change agent. 

How can you become the champion of change management? 

With an ever-shifting landscape, businesses nowadays face changes all the time – be it customers’ altered habits, new technological disruptions, or shifts in the marketplace.

To maintain your company’s standing in this new era, HR teams must stay ahead of the curve and continuously hone their change management skills. Here are some tips to get you started on improving your change management abilities:

1. Work on communicating the change. HR leaders usually make the mistake of assuming that the reasons for a change are self-evident. But that is not always the case. For example, the benefits of adopting new software may appear obvious to you, but they might not be so clear to your employees. A great way to bridge this gap is by communicating the change to your staff clearly and often. Keep your team informed on the why, what, and how of the change. That way, they’ll be more likely to accept and embrace it. The IRS’s 1990 structural change campaign is an excellent example. Through the implementation of training sessions, daily voicemails, and town hall meetings, their employees were able to stay fully informed on any changes taking place – resulting in an overwhelmingly successful transition.
2. Foster a culture that embraces change. Big changes can make employees feel anxious and uncertain. It’s up to HR to create an environment where the change is viewed as an exciting opportunity for growth rather than a dreaded source of fear and doubt. Strive to understand your employees’ challenges in adjusting to the new change and address those issues empathetically. Encourage an open line of communication between management and employees. This will help foster an environment of trust, allowing your people to feel heard and supported, which is indispensable in times of transition. 
3. Keep up with the latest trends. Getting too comfortable with your current operations could be a recipe for disaster. After all, emerging industry trends and technologies can quickly disrupt even the most successful companies if they aren’t prepared to keep up. Take Nokia, for example. It was a revolutionary mobile phone manufacturer until the tech industry shifted toward smartphones. Unfortunately, their resistance to adapting to tech advancements caused them to fall behind other brands and eventually become obsolete. This is why HR personnel need to stay abreast of emerging trends and technologies in the industry to protect themselves and their company from a similar fate. Of course, this doesn’t mean you should jump on every emerging trend you come across. But taking the time to assess these new possibilities is a crucial part of change management. 

#2: Learn to manage your stress

These past few years have been a real rollercoaster, and HR teams have been right in the middle of it all. Between keeping up with ever-shifting regulations, handling employee disputes, and dealing with the Great Resignation, those in human resources have been pushed to the brink of their capacity. 

A firm grasp of stress management is essential for survival in today’s unpredictable and intense work atmosphere. This will help HR professionals keep their anxieties at bay, and better equip them to deal with their teammates and employees struggling to cope with their own stresses.

How can you effectively handle work-related stress?

Some steps HR Professionals can take to better handle the stress of their job and be more productive in their roles include:

1. Practice mindfulness. One of the simplest ways to manage stress is through mindfulness. By taking a few minutes each day to be present in the moment, we can better handle the challenges of our workday. To practice mindfulness, try meditating, focusing on your breath, or even simply noticing the sounds around you. These techniques can be highly effective for calming the mind.
2. Talk it out. Rather than bottling up any stressors, seize the upcoming team meeting as an opportunity to bring them out in the open. Talking to others in the same boat will offer a sense of comfort and support to everyone involved. 
3. Take breaks. When the going gets tough, remember that it’s OK to take a break. A few minutes away from your desk can help reset your brain, giving you the clarity and energy to tackle the rest of your day. Commit to taking periodic breaks every hour or so, stretch your legs, grab a drink, and take a few moments away from work. And make sure to take a proper lunch break – don’t eat at your desk!
4. Prioritize. Despite our best efforts, sometimes things get chaotic. To keep your stress from reaching boiling point, focus on what’s most important right now. Prepare a list of tasks you need to accomplish today and prioritize the most pressing ones. Then, work through the list one item at a time. You can also take the help of advanced tech solutions, such as AI-based bots and automation, to speed up and simplify repetitive tasks.
5. Sign up for mental health sessions. Taking care of our mental health is just as important as taking care of our physical health. And with the rise in awareness of mental health issues, more and more organizations are offering mental health programs to their employees. Consider holding a mental health or wellness program for your team, or look into an employee assistance program (EAP) to access therapy, meditation sessions, and life coaching. Beyond the direct benefits to yourself, signing up for one of these programs also supplies your staff with a great resource to lean on. 

#3: Make technology an ally

The sheer amount of technological growth in the last decade has given HR teams a dizzying array of tools to explore. Where a decade ago, HR personnel collected resumes, then shortlisted applicants and arranged for interviews – all manually – now, technology has revolutionized the entire initial recruitment process.

Organizations can now receive, filter and analyze resumes without human involvement using a suite of HR software solutions. After which, AI-based bots can alert HR personnel of applicants that match the criteria for open positions. Then, automation takes over to arrange interviews and communicate with applicants. That’s how far HR technology has come.

Gone are the spreadsheets and filing cabinets that used to be an HR person’s most treasured possessions. In 2023, it’s all about leveraging technology to meet and exceed expectations.

How to make technology work for you?

If you’re serious about using technology to improve your HR processes, here are some tips you can follow:

1. Establish a clear goal. HR teams often reach out to technology without a clear vision of what they want it to accomplish. But you can’t expect a machine to do what you want unless you’ve framed your goal in specific, measurable terms. Before investing in any HR tech solution, chart out exactly what you expect to get out of it.
2. Pick tools with the lowest learning curve. A 100 kg hammer might help you hammer nails into the wall instantly, but it’ll be useless if you can’t lift it. This analogy may sound ridiculous, but it accurately illustrates the problem with complex HR technology. An HR tech solution might get praise for its features and capabilities, but it won’t be of much use if the learning curve is too steep. Before you go ahead and introduce a new piece of technology to your team, assess the level of technical skill and knowledge your staff possesses and pick a user-friendly tech that requires minimal training. For example, an automation tool with a simple-to-use interface and no-code setup is more beneficial for individuals who may not be familiar with coding principles as opposed to a complex platform packed with features but requiring extensive coding.
3. Conduct training programs and offer support. Even though you may have chosen the right tool with a low learning curve, technology can still be challenging for some people. That’s why providing training and support is vital after a new tech has been rolled out. Start by offering basic tutorials on how to use the software and get the most out of it. Additionally, ensure you are available for any questions or queries your staff may have. And finally, assign dedicated resources to help troubleshoot any issues that may arise. These steps will help facilitate rapid and smooth adoption of the new tech, enabling even the least tech-savvy to benefit. 

#4: Leverage the power of emotional intelligence 

Uncertain times, like the ones we have experienced in the last couple of years, can sometimes bring out the worst in people or, conversely, the best. But despite external factors wreaking havoc on our lives, as HR Professionals, we’re tasked to look out for the welfare of your staff and ensure they feel supported and secure during this period. To handle this task successfully calls for an exceptional level of emotional intelligence and understanding.

The World Economic Forum describes emotional intelligence (EI) as the “something” in each of us that is a bit intangible yet affects how we manage our behavior, navigate social complexities, and make personal decisions to achieve positive results. That “something” allows us to recognize, understand and manage our own emotions and those of others around us. 

In other words, EI is a set of skills and competencies that enables us to be aware of our emotions, interpret them correctly, and use them to make better decisions. This aptitude holds immense importance for HR professionals as perceiving and controlling one’s emotions, and those of co-workers and associates are vital elements when building a healthy work setting.

How can you improve your emotional intelligence?

For the vast majority of us, emotional intelligence does not come naturally. Being capable of recognizing your own complex emotions can already feel like an impossible mission, but trying to comprehend what another person is going through can be even more challenging. So, how can you cultivate emotional intelligence when it does not come naturally to you?

Future-proof Your Skills

Recent years have seen an extraordinary transformation in HR – from a largely administrative role to one of strategic importance. Successful HR teams in 2023 (and beyond) must equip themselves with new skills that go beyond the basics and into the realm of digital transformation and workforce optimization.

By recognizing these skills now and taking steps to cultivate them, HR Professionals can set themselves up for success and be better equipped to confront future challenges. 

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Sam Klaas is a seasoned marketer and content creator with a background in B2B SAAS and product marketing. He specializes in creating growth-focused content for high-growth startups and is passionate about using the power of language to inspire action.