Change Management is top skills for HR professionals

'Effective management of change' is today branded the top 'HR skill for survival', following the results of an poll posted on the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development's (CIPD) online forum, Communities.

Over 400 respondents from the HR community chose three competencies they believed were most important to establish the function's effectiveness and credibility in the organisation, with almost half (46%) of those taking part highlighting 'effective management of change'. This was closely followed by 'strategic thinking' (44%) and 'business knowledge' (36%).

But there were differences depending on levels of seniority. Seventy-eight of those taking part in our website poll are Heads of HR/Heads of function. For this group of respondees 'Strategic thinking' was most commonly identified as crucial (55%) followed up 'effective management of change' (47%) and - reflecting their more senior role in the organisation - 'influencing and political skills' (40%).

The sixty-seven HR Officers and Assistants in the sample also recognised the value of 'strategic thinking' (43%) and 'effective management of change' (42%) and rated 'Understanding of HR practices' (37%) among their top three areas of competence.

Rebecca Clake, Organisation and Resourcing Adviser, CIPD, says:

"These are demanding times for both businesses and HR professionals seeking to deliver the business need. It's important that HR people develop a skill set which equips them to deal with the challenges of the current economic environment and for preparing their people and business for the future"

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