HR's Expanding Scope of Work: Priorities and Challenges for 2025
HR's Expanding Scope of Work: Priorities and Challenges for 2025
As 2024 comes to a close, Human Resources (HR) professionals are facing an expanded scope of work. HR's role is no longer limited to recruitment and employee relations-it now encompasses a wide range of responsibilities. According to Gartner's annual HR Priorities survey, "Leader and manager development" is the top priority for HR leaders. Additionally, organisational culture, HR technology, change management, career management, and internal mobility are key areas of focus.
The Challenges Facing HR and Management
One of the driving forces behind this shift is the increasing pressure on managers and leaders. A staggering 76% of HR leaders report that their managers are overwhelmed by the scope of their roles, which have expanded by 51%.
More than three-quarters of employees now place a higher value on manager support. With increased demands and higher expectations, managers often struggle to balance their responsibilities.
Another concern is that 73% of HR leaders believe their managers are not equipped to lead through change. In a rapidly evolving business environment, the ability to manage change is vital, yet many managers lack the tools and skills to do so effectively.
This is where investing in targeted Change Management Training can play a crucial role in preparing managers for this challenge.
Evolving Beyond Traditional Manager Development
Given these challenges, traditional approaches to management development are no longer sufficient. Instead, it is crucial to rethink the structure of managerial roles. This involves resetting expectations, rebuilding leadership pipelines, rewiring manager habits, and removing process hurdles that prevent them from effectively leading their teams.
At Corporate Coach Group, we advocate for a more comprehensive approach to leadership development, focusing on clarity, rational planning, and maintaining a positive mental attitude. These are cornerstones of effective leadership, embedded in our Leadership and Management Training, which helps managers navigate increased responsibilities and thrive in challenging roles.
Rebuilding the Leadership Pipeline
To develop a future-ready leadership team, organisations must focus on cultivating new leadership skills. Effective Time Management Training is essential to help managers handle their expanding workloads.
Developing resilience and fostering a growth mindset also equips managers to face increasing demands, a concept we explore in our Personal Development Training.
Strengthening Organisational Culture and Internal Mobility
Another priority for HR leaders is fostering a supportive organisational culture. A culture based on rational conflict management-where conflicts are resolved through reasoned discussions-leads to a positive and productive work environment. Our Conflict Management Training equips managers with the skills to handle team dynamics effectively.
Internal mobility is equally important, ensuring employees have opportunities to grow within the company, which strengthens retention and ensures a robust leadership pipeline.
By embedding these principles and training opportunities into your leadership and HR strategy, your organisation can build a more resilient, effective workforce. Explore our professional development courses to learn more.
About the Author: Chris Farmer
Chris Farmer is the founder of the Corporate Coach Group and has many years’ experience in training leaders and managers, in both the public and private sectors, to achieve their organisational goals, especially during tough economic times. He is also well aware of the disciplines and problems associated with running a business.
Over the years, Chris has designed and delivered thousands of training programmes and has coached and motivated many management teams, groups and individuals. His training programmes are both structured and clear, designed to help delegates organise their thinking and, wherever necessary, to improve their techniques and skills.
Blogs by Email
Do you want to receive an email whenever we post a new blog? The blogs contain article 5-10 minutes long - ideal for reading during your coffee break!
Further Reading in People Management
-
How to Tell When Someone is Lying
Telling lies is part of human nature. Sometimes lying is done innocently, to protect someone's feelings. But what if it involves something more important? Here are some valuable tips to try and decide whether someone is lying to you, or not.
Read Article > -
How to Manage Difficult People in Meetings
Unproductive meetings cost time and money. There are five main types of people who may attend your meetings, discover how their personalities could disrupt your ability to hold a productive meeting and learn how to deal with them effectively.
Read Article > -
Better People Management Skills
Improving your people management skills will help you to make more progress towards your goals. At home too, your happiness is directly related to how much cooperation you can get from your family.
Read Article > -
Staff Wellbeing Training
Wellbeing in the workplace is now more important than ever and our training can assist you in creating the ideal conditions for your staff to thrive and your business to succeed.
Read Article > -
How to change behaviour
Do you realise that when you reward bad behaviour you are positively reinforcing that negative behaviour? Consequently, this will encourage that person to behave in that way again.
Read Article >
Looking for People Management Skills Training?
If you're looking to develop your People Management Skills, you may find this People Management Skills Training Course beneficial:
Open Training Course Pricing and Availability
Next Open Course Running tomorrow in London - Central, places available