HR managers play an important role as the agents of change for employee policy. Their leadership position gives them influence over upper-management decisions, and their day-to-day work connects them with the goals and desires of all employees.
Beyond developing successful HR strategies, HR leaders must have the skills to inspire employee buy-in and the know-how to implement new policy changes from the grassroots up. Through online class discussions and collaborative learning groups, the online Master of Business Administration in HR Management from Fitchburg State University prepares HR leaders to effect change in their respective companies.
How HR Managers Drive Change in the Workplace
A 2018 Society for Human Resource Management article describes the role HR leaders play in shaping workplace culture. To effectively influence culture, the article said, HR leaders need to work with senior management to map out what that culture should look like, and strategic planning must go beyond meeting targets and goals. The focus should be on people. To achieve effective workplace change, HR leaders should:
- Be the role model for change.
- Enable two-way conversations between workers and management.
- Resolve any organizational issues along the way.
- Provide continuous learning and training.
- Define employee roles and responsibilities.
Gallup described HR leaders as vital to effecting change in workplace culture and policy, noting their central role in creating and sustaining successful organizations by shaping workplace culture. The article highlighted three ways HR leaders shape culture and policy within successful businesses.
- Champion: While top executives cast a vision, HR leaders must continuously advocate for change until it becomes a part of workplace culture and create roadmaps that align resources to meet those goals.
- Coach: HR leaders should have long-term plans for victory, just as sports team coaches Continual education and coaching of employees on important goals can help them stay focused on the tasks at hand while keeping their eyes on the prize.
- Consultant: HR leaders are uniquely equipped to examine workplace analytics. Armed with data-driven insights, HR managers can better advise upper-level executives on policy implementation progress or even on new policy suggestions.
Push for Policy Change As an HR Manager
HR leaders are often referred to as the caretakers of organizational culture. However, HR managers also shape and inform key policy decisions.
If you want to be a positive force in the lives of workers, a leadership role in HR may be right for you. The online MBA in HR Management from Fitchburg State University equips students with a broad-based background in HR and key leadership skills. The online courses cover management, finance, accounting, HR law and more. Each course is taught by Fitchburg State faculty, and the program can be completed in as few as 12 months.
Each day, HR leaders advocate for change in their respective departments. Whether impacting benefits packages or anti-bullying policies, those changes have practical consequences for company staff. If you are ready to be a workplace change agent, Fitchburg State’s MBA in HR management can equip you with the skills you’ll need to be effective.
Learn more about Fitchburg State’s online MBA program in Human Resources Management.
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