by Chelsea C. Williams
At Reimagine Talent Company, we upskill people leaders for the constantly changing workplace environment. In 2024, I worked with thousands of global professionals to help them evolve their impact in support of their teams and as a driver of business performance and impact.
In thinking back on the year’s encounters, I identified 10 essential skills that HR teams will need to help people leaders cultivate. Whether you’re working with a first-time people leader or a seasoned leader, these skills will help them connect, empower and retain a multigenerational, inclusive workforce.
In a time of rapid technological transformation and societal shifts, the ability to manage change effectively is crucial. People leaders must navigate organizational shifts and guide their teams through uncertainty. Developing their change management skills, such as communicating, building support, addressing resistance, planning and implementing, will empower them to help teams adapt and thrive.
Facilitating collaboration among team members will be essential for innovation and problem-solving, especially for remote and hybrid teams. People leaders should create an environment where everyone feels empowered to contribute, regardless of their work location. You must ensure your company’s leaders can establish clear communication and foster spaces for creative brainstorming and idea sharing.
Analyzing situations critically and pivoting when necessary are essential for making informed decisions that align with organizational goals. Team leaders require training to build their critical thinking skills, such as asking questions, being self-aware, actively listening, analyzing arguments, checking biases and evaluating evidence.
Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) should be woven into every aspect of people management, from hiring practices to team dynamics. For people leaders, this means actively working to build better workplaces where employees are valued and celebrated for their unique traits and abilities.
Setting SMART goals is vital for team success. Make sure leaders across the organization understand the best ways to establish team objectives around organizational priorities, functional priorities, personal development, culture and values. This skill allows them to drive both personal and organizational performance.
Organizational stability is crucial, especially as business workforce needs continue to evolve. People in leadership roles must effectively handle any transition, whether it’s navigating their own transition from individual contributor to leader or guiding team members during major changes in the organization overall.
Throughout my work, I’ve seen how encouraging and soliciting feedback can create a culture of openness. But being an effective people leader requires more than providing input that supports team development. They must also be comfortable asking for input on their own effectiveness.
In today’s work environment, professional success may not always look conventional, like moving into a management or senior role. Team leads need to recognize and celebrate the career lattice—employees’ ability to move vertically, horizontally and even diagonally within the organization. This mindset will help them provide their team members with career opportunities to explore based on their ambition, life stage and organizational needs.
As artificial intelligence becomes more integrated into our workplaces, people leaders must understand how to leverage it to enhance productivity and streamline processes. But they’ll also need the skills to vet new AI tools, explain how employees will use them and handle potential privacy or security issues.
As an HR leader, part of your role is empowering employees’ growth. By developing these 10 skills in your organization’s people leaders, you can ensure long-term success for everyone.
Source: Forbes