Ten Tips for Getting Unstuck for HR Leaders

As HR professionals, we're often tasked with helping others navigate their careers. We are supposed to be the experts. But what happens when it's our own careers that feel stuck? This has happened to me. I was working as an HR Business Partner for several years when I started to feel fed up with the constant restructuring exercises and employee investigations. I felt like I was stuck in my role but I didn’t know what else I could do.

I had gotten a full-time job after graduation, continued working, getting promoted, changing companies, moving overseas, transitioning from a specialist to a generalist, leading people.

Was there something else other than this? And if so, how could I get there?

I felt silly for feeling this way. Since I WAS HR, I had a huge arsenal at my disposal: learning platforms, L&D teams, micro-learning modules, MOOC’s, coaching frameworks, friends in the industry.

I should have been able to figure this out for myself. And yet. I couldn’t.

Whether you're feeling stagnant in your current role, struggling to find new opportunities, or simply unsure of what direction to take, getting unstuck can be a daunting task. So, I wanted to share these ten tips specifically for HR professionals that helped me to get unstuck and move forward.

1. Reflect on your goals: Take a moment to reflect on what's holding you back from reaching your career goals. Is it fear of change, lack of confidence, or something else? Be honest with yourself – identifying the root cause of the problem is key.

2. Assess your skills, strengths, expertise and experiences: Make a list of your skills, strengths, expertise and experiences as an HR professional. Are there areas where you excel? Are there gaps in your skillset that need to be addressed?

3. Explore new opportunities: Look for new opportunities within your current organization or explore external job openings. Networking with your HR peers in other industries can also lead to new connections and potential job leads.

4. Develop a plan of action: Create a plan outlining specific steps you'll take to get unstuck. This could include taking courses, attending conferences, or seeking mentorship from someone who is already doing the type of HR role you aspire to.

5. Embrace change: Sometimes, getting stuck is due to our own fear of change. More often than not, the only thing that is holding you back is YOU! Remind yourself that change can be a catalyst for growth and new opportunities. Your comfort zone is not where change happens.

6. Seek support: Don't be afraid to ask for help! Reach out to colleagues, mentors, or even a coach for guidance and support. Build your own support team who can help you and be a sounding board.

7. Take calculated risks: Getting unstuck often requires taking small, calculated risks. Another way to think about this is to try new things as an experiment. Sometimes, experiments fail and sometimes they are successful. But you won’t know if you don’t try. This could mean applying for a stretch assignment or pursuing a new certification, like HR analytics.

8. Focus on progress, not perfection: Celebrate small wins along the way – it's easy to get discouraged when we're not seeing immediate results. Focus on progress, not perfection. Create a ritual to reward yourself when good things happen as a result of your efforts. Examples including having a glass of wine, going to bed early or just spending 5-minutes alone, reflecting on what you’ve achieved.

9. Practice self-care: Taking care of yourself is essential for getting unstuck. Make time for activities that bring you joy and help you recharge. You could create a “learn list” of activities that you’ve always wanted to try out. Doing new things helps to create new neural pathways in the brain, ultimately strengthening your focus.

10. Embrace failure: Not every attempt will be successful – but that's okay! Embrace failure as an opportunity to learn and grow. See point 7 above!

These 10 tips helped me to break free from my cycle of stagnation and to get back on track towards clarifying my career goals. Remember, getting unstuck is a process, and it's okay to take your time. With patience, persistence, and support, you'll be well on your way to reaching new heights in your career.

If you are an HR professional who is looking to get unstuck and move forward in their careers, please book-in via the link on my page for a confidential chat. I can help.

#careers

#coaching

#humanresources

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I work with female senior leaders in Human Resources who feel stuck to help them love their work or find work they love. Like this? Please share + follow me if you found this interesting. I post about:

?? Executive & career coaching

?? Career development and career transition

?? Job search strategy