30 Lessons in 30 Years: What My HR Journey Has Taught Me

2025 marks a pivotal milestone in my professional careerā€”30 years in the HR field. Along the way, Iā€™ve gained invaluable insights, faced countless challenges, and had the privilege of making a meaningful difference in the lives of employees and organizations. Whether youā€™re just starting your HR career or are a seasoned professional, these lessons offer guidance and inspiration. Iā€™m also planning for the long haulā€”my 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. Letā€™s 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 Iā€™ve learned that HR is about empowering people to succeed while supporting the organizationā€™s goals.

2. Mistakes Make You Better Every misstep has taught me something valuable. Mistakes arenā€™t failuresā€”theyā€™re opportunities for growth. The key is learning, adapting, and not repeating them.

3. Listening Is an HR Superpower True listening means hearing whatā€™s saidā€”and whatā€™s not. Whether resolving conflicts or helping an employee, listening builds trust and understanding.

4. Culture Isnā€™t 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 youā€™re 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. Itā€™s not just about paperworkā€”itā€™s 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 Iā€™ve found that showing empathy during tough conversations makes all the difference. It strengthens relationships and encourages trust.

9. Not Knowing Is Okayā€”Find the Answer Itā€™s impossible to know everything, even after 30 years. The willingness to research, ask for help, and learn is what makes you effective.

10. Documentation Isnā€™t 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 Itā€™s Quiet As an introvert, Iā€™ve learned that I donā€™t have to be the loudest voice in the room to make an impact. Speak with intentionā€”your 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 Youā€™re constantly balancing the needs of employees with the goals of the organization. Itā€™s not always easy, but itā€™s worth it.

18. Recruiting Is More Than Resumes Hiring isnā€™t just about qualificationsā€”itā€™s 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 itā€™s 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 itā€™s a termination or a performance issue, approach tough conversations with respect and empathy. How you handle them can define your credibility.

28. Celebrate Winsā€”Big and Small In a field full of challenges, itā€™s important to pause and celebrate successes, whether itā€™s 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 Iā€™ve touched, the cultures Iā€™ve helped build, and the careers Iā€™ve influenced. HR isnā€™t just a jobā€”itā€™s a legacy of making a difference.

Reflecting on 30 years in HR fills me with gratitude and excitement for whatā€™s to come. My goal of reaching 50 years in HR by 2045 is more than just about setting a recordā€”itā€™s about continuing to learn, grow, and give back to the profession I love.

Elga Lejarza

Founder & CEO

HRTrainingClasses.com