2025 marks a pivotal milestone in my professional careerā30 years in the HR field. Along the way, Iāve gained invaluable insights, faced countless challenges, and had the privilege of making a meaningful difference in the lives of employees and organizations. Whether youāre just starting your HR career or are a seasoned professional, these lessons offer guidance and inspiration. Iām also planning for the long haulāmy goal is to obtain the Guinness World Record with 50 years in HR by 2045! If these lessons resonate with you or could benefit someone you know, please share this article. Letās celebrate and learn together!
1. HR Is About People, Not Just Policies Early in my career, I thought HR was all about enforcing rules. But Iāve learned that HR is about empowering people to succeed while supporting the organizationās goals.
2. Mistakes Make You Better Every misstep has taught me something valuable. Mistakes arenāt failuresātheyāre opportunities for growth. The key is learning, adapting, and not repeating them.
3. Listening Is an HR Superpower True listening means hearing whatās saidāand whatās not. Whether resolving conflicts or helping an employee, listening builds trust and understanding.
4. Culture Isnāt Built in a Day Building a positive workplace culture takes consistent effort. Every decision, policy, and interaction contributes to the culture you create.
5. Change Is the Only Constant If youāre in HR, get comfortable with change. Policies, leadership, and technology evolve rapidly. Flexibility is your greatest ally.
6. Never Underestimate Onboarding A strong onboarding process sets the tone for success. Itās not just about paperworkāitās about integrating new hires into the culture and setting them up for growth.
7. Policies Are Only as Good as Their Application Consistency and fairness in applying policies matter just as much as having them. Employees notice when rules are applied unevenly.
8. Empathy Is Your Greatest Tool Iāve found that showing empathy during tough conversations makes all the difference. It strengthens relationships and encourages trust.
9. Not Knowing Is OkayāFind the Answer Itās impossible to know everything, even after 30 years. The willingness to research, ask for help, and learn is what makes you effective.
10. Documentation Isnāt Optional When in doubt, document. Clear records protect both the organization and employees, ensuring transparency and accountability.
11. Leadership Sets the Tone Strong leadership is contagious. Leaders who model respect, inclusion, and accountability create a thriving organization.
12. Your Voice Matters, Even If Itās Quiet As an introvert, Iāve learned that I donāt have to be the loudest voice in the room to make an impact. Speak with intentionāyour words carry weight.
13. Technology Is Transforming HR From applicant tracking systems to data analytics, technology has changed how we work. Embrace it to stay ahead and drive efficiency.
14. Trust Is Everything Building trust takes time but can be lost in seconds. Always operate with honesty and integrity.
15. Communication Prevents Chaos Over-communicate, especially during times of change. A lack of communication breeds confusion and mistrust.
16. Small Gestures Have Big Impacts Simple acts, like thanking employees or recognizing their efforts, go a long way in building morale and loyalty.
17. HR Is a Balancing Act Youāre constantly balancing the needs of employees with the goals of the organization. Itās not always easy, but itās worth it.
18. Recruiting Is More Than Resumes Hiring isnāt just about qualificationsāitās about finding people who align with the culture and bring unique value to the team.
19. Learning Never Stops The HR field evolves constantly. Staying current through certifications, training, and networking is critical to staying effective.
20. Know When to Say No Boundaries are important, even in HR. Saying no when needed protects your well-being and ensures you can focus on what matters most.
21. Job Shadowing Provides Insight When recruiting for complex roles, shadowing employees in those positions can provide valuable context and improve hiring decisions.
22. Diversity Strengthens Organizations Diverse teams bring innovation, creativity, and better decision-making. Championing diversity is a responsibility every HR professional must embrace.
23. Employee Experience Matters Employees who feel valued and supported are more engaged and productive. Focus on their experience as much as you focus on organizational outcomes.
24. Be Proactive, Not Reactive The best HR professionals anticipate challenges before they arise, whether itās planning for turnover or adapting to regulatory changes.
25. Mentorship Is a Gift Mentoring others in HR has been one of the most fulfilling parts of my career. Sharing knowledge helps others grow while deepening your own understanding.
26. Recognize and Address Bias Unconscious bias exists in all of us. Being aware of it and working to eliminate it in processes like hiring and performance evaluations is vital.
27. Handle Difficult Conversations with Care Whether itās a termination or a performance issue, approach tough conversations with respect and empathy. How you handle them can define your credibility.
28. Celebrate WinsāBig and Small In a field full of challenges, itās important to pause and celebrate successes, whether itās achieving a goal or overcoming a tough situation.
29. HR Is Not One-Size-Fits-All Every organization and employee is unique. Flexibility and customization in your approach ensure better outcomes.
30. HR Is a Legacy of Impact Looking back on 30 years, I see the lives Iāve touched, the cultures Iāve helped build, and the careers Iāve influenced. HR isnāt just a jobāitās a legacy of making a difference.
Reflecting on 30 years in HR fills me with gratitude and excitement for whatās to come. My goal of reaching 50 years in HR by 2045 is more than just about setting a recordāitās about continuing to learn, grow, and give back to the profession I love.
Elga Lejarza
Founder & CEO
HRTrainingClasses.com