Transforming Leadership Skills in 2025: Essential Competencies for People Managers
At Reimagine Talent Company, we're all about empowering people leaders to navigate the ever-evolving workplace landscape. In 2024, I worked alongside countless global professionals, guiding them in evolving their impact to support their teams and drive business performance.
Reflecting on these encounters, I've identified 10 crucial skills that HR teams should help people leaders master. Whether it's a first-time leader or a seasoned one, these skills are invaluable for connecting, empowering, and retaining a diverse, multigenerational workforce.
1. Adaptability in Change
In our rapidly transforming world, the ability to manage change effectively is non-negotiable. People leaders must aid their teams in navigating organizational shifts and embracing uncertainty. Developing their change management skills, such as consistent communication, building support, overcoming resistance, planning, and implementation, will arm them with the tools to help their teams adapt and thrive.
2. Foster Collaboration
Collaboration is key to innovation and problem-solving, especially for remote and hybrid teams. HR leaders must help create an environment where every employee feels empowered to contribute. This demands developing communication skills that ensure clear communication and fostering spaces for creative brainstorming and idea sharing.
3. Critical Thinking
Making informed decisions aligned with organizational goals necessitates critical thinking. People leaders need training to build their critical thinking skills, such as asking probing questions, practicing self-reflection, actively listening, analyzing arguments, recognizing biases, and evaluating evidence.
4. Embracing Diversity and Inclusion
Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) should permeate every aspect of people management – from hiring to team dynamics. People leaders must actively work to create better workplaces where employees feel valued and celebrated for their unique traits and abilities.
5. Effective Goal Setting
Setting SMART goals is instrumental for team success. HR leaders must equip leaders across the organization with the understanding of setting team objectives aligned with organizational priorities, functional priorities, personal development, culture, and values. This skill allows them to drive both personal and organizational performance.
6. Strengthening Relationships with Senior Leadership
People leaders must master the art of "managing up," understanding what their managers need and communicating effectively. Managing up also involves understanding the senior leader's objectives and adapting communication styles to align with their preferences, fostering positive, productive relationships up and down the chain.
7. Navigating Transitions
Organizational stability is crucial, but shifts beyond individual contributions to leadership roles necessitate effective transition management. People leaders must successfully navigate their transition or guide team members through major organizational changes.
8. Encouraging Feedback
Throughout my work, I've seen the importance of establishing a culture of feedback. Encouraging and soliciting input helps teams develop, but it demands more than just providing constructive input; people leaders must also be comfortable receiving input on their own effectiveness.
9. Mapping Career Pathways
A modern work environment may not always follow the traditional career trajectory, so people leaders must recognize the importance of career lattices rather than rigid career tracks. This mindset enables them to provide team members with diverse career opportunities based on their ambition, life stage, and organizational needs.
10. Leveraging AI
As AI becomes more integrated into our workplaces, people leaders must understand how to harness its potential to boost productivity and streamline processes. This also means vetting new AI tools, explaining their usage, and managing potential privacy or security concerns.
In their duty to empowering employees' growth, HR teams can help develop these 10 essential skills for people leaders in leading a multigenerational, inclusive workforce thriving in a rapidly changing environment.
Enrichment data can help HR teams implement strategies to help people leaders develop these skills effectively:
- Embrace flexible communication: Use a mix of digital and in-person communication tools, and establish formal and informal channels for regular check-ins.
- Foster cross-generational mentorship: Create mentorship programs across generations, fostering mutual learning and respect.
- Offer flexible work options: Offer hybrid work models and flexible schedules to accommodate diverse preferences and needs.
- Invest in continuous learning and career development: Provide a range of professional development programs—both technical and soft skills—to support the career progression of all employees.
- Promote an inclusive culture: Encourage collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and a sense of unity across generations.
- Adapt leadership styles: Tailor leadership approaches to meet the diverse preferences of employees.
- Align workforce around shared purpose: Connect employees to a common sense of purpose through company values, mission, and goals.
- Develop bias-free recruiting procedures: Customize job descriptions and hiring channels while ensuring fair and equitable treatment of each candidate.
- Implement inclusive training and development initiatives: Develop a range of training programs utilizing a variety of learning methods and styles.
- Emphasize inclusive policies and practices: Highlight the organization's commitment to inclusivity in job descriptions, recruitment materials, and company communications.
In my experience working at Reimagine Talent Company, I collaborated closely with Chelsea C. Williams, who demonstrated exemplary skills in navigating transitions within the organization. Her ability to successfully manage her transition and guide her team through change was truly impressive.
When reflecting on the 10 crucial skills for HR teams to help people leaders master, it's worth noting that Chelsea excelled in fostering collaboration, effectively setting goals, and strengthening relationships with senior leadership. Her adeptness in these areas contributed significantly to her team's success and overall organizational performance.
