Think like a business owner: 

Balance the strategic and tactical sides of HR along with the overall company goals and objectives and prioritise your tasks accordingly.  We all know how difficult it is to find the right balance between doing the day to day and meeting longer term objectives.  It’s easy to stick to the day to day because it’s within our comfort zone but it’s also crucial to step outside of that and think strategically as well.

Use a wide-angled lens:

Balance your HR specific requirements with the overall objectives of the company; continuously ask yourself “does this help the company get closer to achieving its goals?” Ensure that HR goals are completely aligned with and support the achievement of company goals.

Engage your audience!

The power of properly targeted communication cannot be overlooked; strong stakeholder management and communication will ensure your stakeholders get and stay onboard.  Another key element of this is to balance intra- and inter- departmental communication.

Work smart not just hard:

Find a balance between working in the business and on the business.  As well as getting the job done, look for better ways to do the job.  Use tools like technology and continuous process improvement to improve efficiency and effectiveness.

Don’t forget the X-factor!

Dealing with people will always be a science and an art form.  We can’t box our approach in and make it black and white.  There will always be a need to balance the needs of the business and the needs of our people.