Many people aspire to become managers. They want the added challenge, authority, and salary that comes with moving from team member to team leader. They work hard, put in the time, and get that promotion.

Updated December 2022

“HR today sits smack-dab in the middle of the most compelling competitive battleground in business, where companies deploy and fight over that most valuable of resources—workforce talent.”  - Harvard Business Review

The above quote was written in 2008, and it's never been more true than in the wake of the pandemic.

The field of human resources has transformed quite dramatically over the past few years. We used to think of HR as primarily about handling employee discipline problems, enforcing workplace policies, and hiring/firing people.

But as global business competition grows ever more intense, and new generations join the workforce, we’re seeing a major shift in the reality and perception of HR. 

Human resources professionals are joining strategy sessions with CEOs and other C-suite executives to discuss the growing importance and impact of employee engagement, talent acquisition, and skills development. 

HR has become an essential and integral part of business success, in every sector of the economy. 

Is human resources the right career for you? Consider these key points while making your decision.

Updated December 2022

Human resources management (HRM) has a much larger role in business than most people realize.

When you think about HR, what comes to mind? Most likely, you’re thinking about processes like recruitment, hiring, explaining company benefits, and dealing with discipline issues. 

But at today’s leading companies, HR goes far beyond these routine functions. More than ever before, human resources professionals are playing a key role in strategic planning and corporate policy. They are contributing at the highest levels, working with senior management to cultivate the most valuable asset a company has: its people. 

As HR grows as an industry, so does the variety of jobs available in different areas of specialization and different levels of seniority. 

What types of human resources jobs are available? What career paths can you pursue, from HR generalist to specialist roles? Here’s a look at some popular options, as well as some tips on how to transition into the field.

Updated December 2022

Hiring is one of your most important tasks as a new manager. You must find candidates with the right skillset, right attitude, and right fit for your team. It's a tall order.

Especially when you consider that many managers are under time pressure to fill vacant roles and don't have much space in their schedules for interviews.

Not to mention, if you're a new leader, you probably haven't done a lot of hiring and have only a vague sense of what an effective process looks like.

This is just one of the many ways companies let down their new managers. It's well known that training in this area is seriously lacking.

One study from consulting firm, West Monroe, reveals that an astounding 59 per cent of new managers get no training whatsoever upon transitioning into a leadership role.

Research shows a single bad hire can cost a company $25,000 or more. In a recent survey by Career Builder, 25 per cent of businesses said the damage could run upward of $50,000 per bad hire. 

So, if you're new to management and facing your first round of hiring, what can you do to minimize errors and find the absolute best fit for each role?

Take a page from the human resources playbook. Follow these five steps for a more efficient hiring process.

Updated March 2022

What's the number one challenge facing every single new manager? Lack of training on how to actually lead a team.

Whether you were drafted into management because someone quit, or you paid in blood, sweat, and tears to earn that promotion—you're all in the same boat.

Very few organizations offer comprehensive (if any) management training.

One study by consulting firm West Monroe found that 59 per cent of Americans got no training whatsoever when they were promoted to management.

So, what's a first-time manager to do?

While employers drag their feet, seek out your own training on how to master the biggest, most fundamental challenge of your new job—managing your human resources.

Take a page from the HR training handbook. Here's how a few HR basics can significantly improve your transition to management—and earn you respect as a leader.

Updated December 2022

How do people become supervisors, team leaders, and department managers?

More often than not, it's through promotion. They've put in the years, worked really hard, and slowly climbed up the corporate ladder.

Promotion through merit is a great thing. The only problem is, it rarely comes with training on how to actually manage people effectively. It can be really difficult to go from being part of the team to leading the team.

What's the best way to recruit and hire candidates? How can you increase employee satisfaction and reduce turnover? How should you handle conflicts?

These are all fundamental human resources issues. And they're just a few reasons why basic human resources training should be mandatory for anyone taking on a leadership role.

Here's a closer look at how HR skills help managers succeed.

Updated December 2022

Why do employees quit their jobs?

If you look at the research on this, you'll find that almost every single reason is a completely avoidable management mistake.

We're talking about routine blunders caused by lack of human resources training and poor leadership skills.

Why should you care? Because right at this moment, some of your top employees are thinking about quitting or actively seeking a new job.

Losing great employees costs more than just money. It eats up your time, slows productivity, and hurts overall workplace morale.