Today’s business environment is characterized by an increase in complexity in ways of working, as well as the continuous evolution of the business environment into a social enterprise that works to serve both market demands and the demands of new ways of living beyond work. As organizations take on new challenges such as the evolution of technology, new job structures, regulatory changes, and social changes involving workforce diversity and organizational culture, the need for the Human Resource Professional to transform from mere personnel management operators to strategic leaders that will help unleash the potential of talent in organizations is the current trend in human capital. In this fast-paced working environment, one key aspect for HR professionals is to be well-rounded in strategic dimensions of the business, sometimes extending beyond human capital considerations.
Thus, to adapt a mindset of lifelong learning that deliberately seek opportunities to acquire new knowledge should not only be preferential to the HR Practitioner but is the critical driver to succeed as an HR leader. Thus, this article would provide an emphasis on why lifelong learning is crucial to the effectiveness and career advancement of HR Professionals.
HR Professionals as Business Success Drivers: Fostering Adaptability to Change, Enhanced Competencies, and Excellent Organizational Performance
The HR landscape is continuously growing and evolving due to the advent of digital technology, shift in working demography, the rise of the multigenerational workforce, and the evolution of labor laws. As stated by Kauffeld and Lehman-Willenbrock (2016), HR Professionals who commit to lifelong learning are better equipped to adapt to changes and are more agile when it comes to tending to manpower needs vis-à-vis business decisions. HR Professionals who value continuous education stay updated on the latest trends, tools, and best practices – ensuring that human capital in their organizations are optimized, with return of investments coming back to stakeholders including a compounding growth in employee development.
Further, HR Professionals that value lifelong learning stay ahead of the game, and are better talent managers, sound decision makers when it comes to talent acquisition, and are wise to impose activities and policies to engage employees. A study conducted by McCauley and Briscoe (2021) purports that HR Professionals who actively pursue professional development, are more likely to demonstrate higher competence and effectiveness in human capital management and are effective organizational success drivers. Thus, both adaptabilities to change and enhanced competencies help HR professionals to be proficient in their field and can integrate HR needs with organizational needs and business goals.
To extend discourses on organizational development, HR professionals that are driven by lifelong learning set as role models for performance and can easily motivate employees ensuring that retention rates are better. As professionals that harbor lifelong learning as mindset and continuous practice, an HR Professional that embodies the will to grow and learn also serve as advocates of productivity – a crucial element when it comes to managing organizational workload, especially in an age that can be overwhelming, given the currently volatile marketplace. As reflected on a research by Kahn & Byun (2019), HR Professionals with lifelong learning practices not only put themselves in a better position when it comes to career mobility and advancement, but also put their organizations in a better position, versus their competitors in their industries.
In conclusion, an HR Professional that enforce lifelong learning as a way of practice is beneficial for the HR Professional’s career, as the job market demands an HR Professionals whose expertise are multifaceted and dynamic. Further, HR Professionals that are also lifelong learners, by the virtue of embodiment, push their organizations to new heights – be it promptly adapting to change or thriving by seizing new opportunities. HR professionals, who cultivate lifelong learning as a value, contribute significantly to the relevance, growth, and reputation of their organization, and can serve as a benchmark for learning centered organizational leaders in respective industries.