Must Have Skills For Today’s (And Tomorrow’s) HR Leader

The role of HR leadership is evolving rapidly. Gartner reports that 58% of HR leaders believe they need new skills to succeed in the next five years. Here’s what to focus on:

1. AI Literacy (Yep, we said it 😑)
   It’s not going away anytime soon, so you should explore it. Understanding tools like predictive analytics and machine learning will be crucial. According to Deloitte, companies using HR analytics see a 30% increase in efficiency.

2. Strategic Thinking
   HR leaders need to align people strategies with business goals. Workforce analytics can help forecast trends, reducing talent gaps by 43%, according to LinkedIn data.

3. Diversity Advocacy
   Lead diversity efforts with actionable goals. Whatever your stance is on DEI, you need to at least have a pulse on the demographics of your people. For example, Salesforce increased representation of underrepresented groups by 50% in two years through targeted initiatives.

4. Emotional Intelligence
   Navigating workplace dynamics is critical. A Korn Ferry study found that 70% of executives rate EQ as more important than IQ. Simple example: Knowing how to read a room based on body language, face expressions, tone of voice, etc. and adjust your communication accordingly.

5. Change Management
   As AI and hybrid work models become the norm, HR leaders must manage transitions effectively. The ability to guide teams through change increases project success rates by 60%.

Takeaway:
The future of HR leadership is dynamic, data-driven, and people-focused. Develop these skills now to lead with confidence and make a lasting impact.