What are the careers that are dominated by women? Recently HR has become one of those careers, despite the fact that men occupy the majority of the top jobs, women dominate the HR at every level.
“Most of the candidates to pick from for the top jobs are increasingly female,” says Michael Peel, vice president of human resources and administration for Yale University in New Haven, Conn. “To me, it’s an inevitability that, if you look 10 years out, the overwhelming number of top HR people will be female.”
The question is, why does the HR career attract so many women? Do females possess certain skills that make them better HR candidates than men?
“HR is an astonishing place where women have been free to make their mark in the workplace,” says John Sumser, principal analyst at HRxAnalysts. “HR is a paragon of success for women who dominate the ranks at every level.”
HR functions are mostly inherently female according to Tracy McCarthy a senior vice president of human resources for SilkRoad technology inc., female natural traits, skills and quality make them a success at this profession, these traits and skills make women gather information and negotiate differently than men. Women have a natural ability of taking responsibility and adapt quickly although many men are capable of doing that. Women in daily basis have to multitask through different things to keep moving and that same skill or function is required in the HR since no day is ever the same. You never know what you are going to walk into and what kind of problems you will face when you start the day in the HR.
HR needs a “mom” role according to Sumser, since a mother typically faces matters that are undesirable at home, female in the HR has to handle all the work that nobody else will do. A mother should be patient, listen to her children, act as a problem-solver, and giving immediate advice and that’s exactly the main role of any HR manager.
Unfortunately, many HR managers fail to play this role due to lack of experience, clear communication and poor interpersonal. A good mom “HR managers” don’t advice their employees to solve their own problems, they don’t take sides due to mutual benefits, they don’t promise and never deliver. They won’t allow the problem to grow to the extent that will lead to a crisis because at the end her/his will lead to disappointing results.
A true leader must sincerely care about the people they lead, a true leader must lead by example, they won’t pass off the responsibilities that they should be doing to others, they must have a common sense, good rationales, good judgment and above all a sense of fairness.
“Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man’s character, give him power”
Abraham Lincoln
Speaking about man, how can a male become a good “mom”? Can men learn motherhood in order to become better HR managers?
To Be Continued..
Written By: Alaa Mohasseb – HRIS Specialist & PhD Student
Picture Design: Mahmoud Mansi