During COVID, I posted about my love/hate relationship with Human Resources. I love the HR space but dislike how HR leaders and professionals are perceived. Early in my HR career, I felt like I was seen as the police of an organisation, which we are not! I felt COVID changed our brand; we are now seen as trusted advisors. We also tend to take care of others first when we must care for ourselves.

This is why HR learning leadership is pivotal. To learn more about why HR needs to learn leadership, we have created the HR Virtual Festival.

Are you ready to make a real difference in your HR role? The HR Festival is your chance to gain the insights, tools, and connections you need to lead with impact—both within your team and across your organisation.

This isn’t just another event. It’s a unique opportunity to dive deep into the most pressing challenges HR professionals face today and walk away with strategies you can use immediately.

Why This Matters:

Leading with Courage: In today’s fast-changing world, authenticity is more critical than ever. Heidi Rossi will show you how to lead with courage, fostering trust and authenticity in your teams. Genuine leaders create a ripple effect that empowers others to do the same, boosting team morale and organisational culture.

Doing More with Less: HR is evolving, and Pierre De Villiers will explore how leveraging the latest HR technology can help you streamline processes and make a bigger impact with fewer resources. This knowledge is vital for creating a more efficient, future-ready organisation.

Rebuilding Culture: Carolyn Buxton will guide you through rebuilding culture during adversity—something every HR leader faces. A strong culture isn’t just about engagement; it’s about resilience. By learning how to rebuild and strengthen your company’s culture, you’ll drive long-lasting change that impacts the wider community your organisation serves.

Understanding Total Rewards: Compensation and benefits aren’t just perks but key drivers of employee satisfaction and retention. Rob Knox will share how to align total rewards with your organisation’s mission, making your team feel valued and motivated and enhancing overall company performance.

The AI-Centred Leader: The future of HR is intertwined with AI, and Sonia McDonald will help you navigate this new landscape. Understanding AI’s role in leadership is critical to staying competitive and forward-thinking in today’s HR world. It’s not just about adapting—it’s about leading the way.

What This Means for You:

By joining the HR Festival, you’re not just expanding your knowledge—you’re investing in the future of your team, organisation, and career. The strategies and insights shared at this event will equip you to:

• Build stronger teams that are more engaged, productive, and resilient.
• Lead your organisation through uncertainty with clarity and confidence.

Create an impact beyond your workplace and contribute to a healthier, more inclusive community.

Why HR needs to learn Leadership

HR professionals are critical in shaping an organisation’s culture, engagement, and overall success. Learning leadership skills is essential for HR for several reasons:

1. Influence and Impact: HR leaders are often at the forefront of driving change and initiatives that affect the entire organization. Leadership skills empower HR to influence others, gain buy-in for important policies, and drive positive cultural changes.
2. Strategic Partnering: Modern HR is not just about administrative tasks; it’s about being a strategic partner to the business. Strong leadership enables HR professionals to align HR strategies with business goals, contributing to the company’s overall success.
3. Talent Development: HR is responsible for developing talent and building organisational leadership pipelines. By understanding and demonstrating leadership themselves, HR professionals can more effectively mentor, coach, and guide others in their leadership journey.
4. Crisis Management: In times of crisis or change, such as layoffs, restructures, or even navigating workplace conflicts, HR leaders must demonstrate strong leadership to manage these situations with empathy, clarity, and decisiveness.
5. Building Trust and Credibility: Effective leadership builds trust and credibility. When HR professionals lead with integrity, transparency, and consistency, they create an environment where employees feel valued, heard, and motivated.
6. Employee Engagement and Retention: Leadership skills enable HR to foster a culture of engagement and commitment. By leading with vision and purpose, HR can inspire and retain top talent, reducing turnover and enhancing organisational performance.
7. Driving a People-Centric Culture: HR leaders who embody leadership principles are better equipped to advocate for a people-first approach. This aligns with modern organizational priorities where employee well-being, diversity, equity, and inclusion are key.
8. Navigating Organisational Dynamics: HR professionals often work across different organisational levels and functions. Leadership skills help them navigate complex dynamics, build relationships, and facilitate collaboration across departments.

For HR to truly be effective, it needs to lead from the front—demonstrating the values, behaviours, and mindsets the organization aims to cultivate. This goes beyond managing policies and procedures; it’s about embodying leadership as a core part of HR’s role.