There is no doubt about the importance of a strong HR team to an organization.  The role of HR in the future of work will be to usher in the organization’s new initiatives that include employer branding, agility, and innovation. Hierarchy will flatten out and managers will coach teams that can make fast decisions.  Utilization of data and continuous learning will drive innovation.

Chaos erupted overnight in our workforces’ professional and personal lives when the pandemic hit.  HR became every organization’s crisis manager.  Along with HR’s regular duties, safety/mental/physical health, leading employees remotely, PPE, and developing strategies to stay operational became top priorities. If that wasn’t enough, they had to stay compliant within federal, state, and county regulations. HR led organizations through the storm and will lead them into the future of work.

HR of the future will focus on the “human” part of the job.  HR professionals will need policies that work with life experiences that employees are going through.  Policies must be aligned with an organization’s mission, vision, values, and beliefs. They must attract, engage, and retain the right talent.  Organizations need to have a robust support system in place that attracts employees on a professional and personal level. The time is now to make your HR department more human.

HR will play a key role in developing the workplace of the future.  We already learned that onsite, hybrid, digital nomad models all require flexibility, adaptability, and innovation. Workstyles and work patterns are expected to continue to significantly shift.  HR will be key in learning how to balance employee expectations with your organization’s needs.

HR will lead teams to be ready to meet any unforeseen challenges in the future. The strategy will include teams that are responsive, adaptive, and resilient.  HR will be the lead change agent in agile organizations.  A big change will be to leadership styles and performance expectations.  They will change from individual-based to team-based.  The concept of shared or distributed leadership will allow companies to be more agile and innovative.  Organizations will need the tools to guide work day-to-day no matter where people are physically located.

To move into the future an organization must embrace change.  Create strategies that allow you to quickly spot trends and capitalize on opportunities.  Plan for whatever comes next.  The entire organization must be engaged to succeed.  No matter what the future brings, HR will get you there confidently.