5 Survival Skills For Future HR Leaders

In a constantly changing world, let’s explore what’s key to surviving the disruption and making it to the future as an HR leader

- Bhavna Sarin

“Education is our passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs to the people who prepare for it today.” - Malcolm X

The debates and discussions surrounding man vs machine, humans vs robots, and human essence vs AI have been going on for quite some time now without a declared winner. What has come out from these discussions though is that technology is here to stay and humans are irreplaceable? The question is no longer about who will conquer, but about a tradeoff, rather balance. How capable is one to strike that balance will determine their future, as well as the future of the ones around them.

These capabilities are not necessarily in-built, these are skills that given the intrinsic drive of humans in the present time, they can be acquired and sharpened over a period of time. As HR professionals and leaders, these skills become even more critical to be able to navigate and lead the rest of the organization through turbulent, uncertain, and disruptive times. But what are these skills that will future-proof you as an HR leader as you ponder over your next curve?

As an HR leader, before you plan for the future, you need to take a step back and look at the bigger picture. And helping you look at this bigger picture with the right lens, is none other than Michael Vance, who gives you 8 lenses to filter through the clutter and identify pillars to strategize. These 8 lenses or as he calls them, 8 equities, are - physical, spiritual, psychological, intellectual, emotional, financial, social and family. While these are broad equities to ponder upon, you do need to streamline your focus on internal skills to be ready for the future.