A strong and balanced HR team is the backbone of any successful organization. By fostering trust, defining clear roles, and aligning with business goals, HR professionals can drive organizational success while supporting employee well-being. Here are 20 expert strategies to help you build a reliable and effective HR team, featuring insights from industry leaders—including William Stonehouse III, President of Crawford Thomas Recruiting.
1. Establish Trust and Transparency
Open communication between leadership and HR is essential. By fostering trust with both leadership and employees, HR can create authentic and supportive work environments. – Imani Carroll, Impact
2. Ensure the Right Expertise
HR departments should cover key areas like compliance, employee relations, and talent management. Prioritize continuous learning to ensure HR professionals can provide accurate guidance. – Rebecca Edwards, Infinite HR of Charlotte
3. Equip HR with Proper Resources
Support HR teams with the right technology, adequate staffing, and manageable workloads to empower them to serve the organization effectively. – Amy Cappellanti-Wolf, Dayforce
4. Define Roles and Objectives
According to William Stonehouse III, President of Crawford Thomas Recruiting, “A strong HR team begins with clearly defined roles aligned to strategic objectives.” He emphasizes the importance of hiring professionals with diverse expertise, emotional intelligence, and superior communication skills. Transparency and proactive engagement position HR as a crucial link between leadership and employees.
5. Make HR a Strategic Business Partner
Align HR initiatives with organizational goals to ensure HR functions as a strategic partner supporting both leadership and employees. – Nichelle Cole, Topa Insurance Company
6. Follow Through on Commitments
Building trust requires consistent follow-through on promises and initiatives. Reliable HR teams deliver on their commitments. – Janet Vardeman, Avanade
7. Be Proactive, Not Reactive
Shift HR’s focus to anticipate future needs through expertise in technology and culture transformation, driving both business growth and employee satisfaction. – Katrina Jones
8. Establish a Clear HR Vision
Define an HR vision aligned with company values to guide hiring, training, and strategic priorities. This clarity fosters accountability and long-term stability. – Daniel Salamon, DS Leadership Advisory
9. Understand the Big Picture
HR teams must balance business objectives with employee needs, ensuring alignment and resource allocation to drive organizational success. – Amy Garefis, ZipRecruiter
10. Listen, Learn, and Build Trust
Create a balanced work environment by valuing diverse perspectives, open communication, and continuous learning. – John Kannapell, CYPHER Learning
11. Address Workforce Needs
Gather feedback and analyze data to create impactful HR programs that align with business goals and employee well-being. – Michael D. Brown, Global Recruiters of Buckhead
12. Build a Complementary Team
Hire HR professionals with diverse skills and experiences to bring unique strengths to the table and enhance the team’s overall impact. – Oksana Lukash
13. Align Strategy and Culture
Bridge the gap between business goals and employee experience by fostering a diverse HR team that understands both sides. – Julie Hoagland, Alkami
14. Bridge HR and Business Functions
Train HR professionals to speak the language of business to foster better collaboration and communication with leadership. – Prakash Raichur, Taghleef Industries
15. Balance Advocacy and Representation
Clarify HR’s dual role as both an advocate for employees and a representative of the organization. Follow-through on commitments is key to maintaining trust. – Jalie Cohen, Radiology Partners
16. Prioritize Clear Communication
Ensure employees understand organizational changes and how they align with company values through transparent internal communications. – Caitlin MacGregor, Plum
17. Grant HR Autonomy
Empower HR teams by allowing them to select the right tools and vendors to address workplace challenges effectively. – Nicky Hancock, AMS
18. Identify and Close Skill Gaps
Regularly assess organizational needs and HR capabilities to identify gaps and prioritize professional growth. – Divya Divakaran, EVS, Inc.
19. Embrace Inclusion and Data-Driven Decisions
Base HR strategies on inclusion, continuous learning, and data analysis to enhance talent decisions and employee experience. – Laci Loew
20. Prioritize Diversity and Inclusion
A diverse HR team better understands and meets the needs of a diverse workforce, fostering equitable and inclusive practices. – Britton Bloch, Navy Federal
This article, originally written by Forbes Human Resource Council, can be found here.
Why Partner with Crawford Thomas Recruiting?
At Crawford Thomas Recruiting, we understand the critical role HR plays in shaping organizational success. Our team of experts specializes in connecting businesses with top-tier talent across industries. With our proven, stress-free hiring process and a commitment to client satisfaction, your next great hire is only a click away. Connect with us today to build a stronger, more balanced team.