Strong leadership skills and human resource management expertise are the keys to any successful business. While having an excellent team with you is important, managing them in a way that helps your business thrive is even more crucial. HR management also has one of the highest potentials for ROI among all functions within a company – provided it’s done well. HR management requires technical skills and leadership abilities to manage people and build a high-performance team that can take your business forward. To excel at human resource management and build a cohesive team, you will need to clearly understand the principles, practices, and techniques involved in effective HR management. The ideal way to accomplish this is by reading human resources management books. This blog post will discuss the top Human Resource Management books and major takeaways from these gems that can add up to your skills and make your HR journey fruitful.
10 Human Resource Management Books:
The Essential HR Handbook By Sharon Armstrong and Barbara Mitchell
First, we have The Essential HR Handbook by Sharon Armstrong and Barbara Mitchell. This book is a great introductory guide to the world of HR. The authors take a really practical approach, covering a host of topics in a very user-friendly style. This is the perfect book if you’re starting in the field and want to grow quickly.
The Essential Human Resource Management Handbook is a great book for beginners in HR. The topics covered include recruitment, team building, change management, performance, employees, and more. What’s great about this book is that it isn’t just a collection of “what” and “how” but also delves into “why”. It will help you identify the key areas that make up a thriving HR department and give you the foundations for building a successful career in HR.
Human Resource Management By Gary Dessler
Next up is Human Resource Management by Gary Dessler. It is one of the best books on the topic and an HR classic. It covers all the essential aspects of HR management and is written in an engaging and accessible style that makes it a joy to read. The book is divided into 7 parts and 19 chapters.
If you’re looking for a comprehensive, all-in-one guide to human resource management, this is the book for you. Each chapter covers a specific topic or theme related to HR management. The topics include organizational theory, recruitment, selection, training and development, compensation and benefits, employee relations, staff management, and unions and collective bargaining.
HR from the Outside In Six Competencies for the Future of Human Resources By Dave Ulrich, Jon Younger, Wayne Brockbank, Mike Ulrich
HR from the Outside In Six Competencies for the Future of Human Resources is a must-read for all HR professionals. It’s one of the most comprehensive and authoritative books on modern HR practices and principles. The authors have indeed done a marvellous job of highlighting the six key areas of competencies that need to be focused on to build a successful HR function.
These six areas are people identification, people discovery, people development, people relations, people implications, and people enhancements. If you need an insightful book that will take your HR skills and expertise to the next level, this book is for you. It will help you see the bigger picture and make the right strategic decisions to help your organization grow and thrive.
Also Read: Breaking Down The Scope Of Human Resource Management
Unleashing the Power of Diversity By Bjorn Z. Ekelund
Next, we have Unleashing the Power of Diversity by Bjorn Z. Ekelund. This book is a must-read for all HR professionals. It talks about the importance of diversity in the workplace. Diversity is defined as the variety of people and perspectives they bring. It’s essential to business success and should be cultivated and valued.
The book is divided into four parts and eight chapters. Each chapter explores the topic of diversity from a different angle. The topics include understanding the benefits of diversity, what diversity is, how diversity is created, differences in management styles, and the issues of inclusion and exclusion. This book will significantly enhance your skills in diversity and inclusion.
People Analytics for Dummies By Mike West
Next up, we have People Analytics for Dummies by Mike West. It is a great book to help you understand the ever-evolving field of people analytics. The authors have beautifully and strategically covered the topic in detail. The book has three parts and nine chapters. Each chapter covers a specific topic related to people analytics.
The topics include the rise of people analytics, what people analytics is, how people analytics is used, how to use people analytics, and people analytics in action. This book will help you gain the skills and knowledge you need to employ people analytics to make better business decisions.
The HR Scorecard By Brian Becker, Mark Huselid, Dave Ulrich
The HR Scorecard by Brian Becker, Mark Huselid, and Dave Ulrich is an absolute must-read for all HR professionals. It talks about how to use the HR Scorecard to measure the health of your HR function. The HR Scorecard is a powerful tool that can help you identify areas of improvement and make better decisions.
The book comes in three parts and nine chapters. Each chapter covers a specific topic related to the HR Scorecard. The topics include the importance of measuring HR, the five components of the HR Scorecard, the five-step process for creating the HR Scorecard, how to use the HR Scorecard, and how to make improvements. This book will significantly enhance your skills in the HR Scorecard.
The Talent Delusion By Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic
Next up, we have The Talent Delusion by Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic. This book is a must-read for all Human Resource Management professionals. It talks about how HR can help organizations become more successful by harnessing and developing their talent through better HR practices. The authors provide a very insightful and enlightening perspective on how HR can be used as a strategic function and how it can transform businesses.
This book will help you understand the role of HR and how to make your HR department more effective and impactful. The book has three parts and nine chapters. Each chapter covers a specific topic related to HR. The topics include why the HR function is essential, what makes a great HR function, how to create a best-in-class HR function, how to build a winning team, and how to manage talents.
Bring Your Human to Work By Erica Keswin
Next up, we have to Bring Your Human to Work by Erica Keswin. This book is a holy grail for all HR professionals. It discusses creating a human-centred workplace that engages and delights employees. By bringing your employees to work, you can create a more positive and productive environment for your team members. The book will have three parts and seven chapters.
Each chapter covers a specific topic related to bringing your human to work. The topics include why you should get your human to work, how to bring your human to work, how to develop your human strengths, how to lead with your human strengths, and how to inspire others with your human strengths. This book will greatly enhance your skills concerning managing human forces in getting things done.
Also Read: Key Objectives of Human Resource Management
Performance Management for Dummies By Herman Aguinis
Performance Management for Dummies by Herman Aguinis talks about how to use the performance management system to help your employees grow and develop. The authors provide a very insightful and enlightening perspective on the topic. You can read the book in three parts and eight chapters.
This book will give you a better understanding of the basics of performance management and how to use it effectively in your organization. Each chapter covers a specific topic related to performance management. The topics include the basics of performance management, how to develop a performance management system, how to use the performance management system, how to assess employee performance, and how to improve employee performance.
The Culture Map By Erin Meyer
Last but not least, we have The Culture Map by Erin Meyer. This book is a must-read for all HR professionals. It talks about how to use the culture map to help you understand and navigate the different cultures of the world. A culture map is a powerful tool that can help you identify areas of improvement and make better decisions. The book has three parts and seven chapters.
Each chapter covers a specific topic related to the culture map. The topics include the basics of the culture map, how to use the culture map, how to interpret the results of the culture map, and how to make improvements. This book will greatly enhance your skills in the culture map. If you want to explore the culture of the world, then this book is definitely for you.
How Can HR Books Help In Acing Human Resource Management?
The role of human resource management is crucial in any organization. It is responsible for managing the most critical resource of the company- its people. An efficient HR team can make a significant difference in the overall performance of the company.
If you aspire to become an HR and become an integral part of the HR department or are already working in HR, books will surely help you hone your skills and improve your job.
Benefits of reading Human Resource Management books:
- Improve your understanding of HR concepts and terms
If you are new to the field of HR, there are many concepts and terms that you may not be familiar with. Reading Human Resource Management books can help you better understand these concepts and terms.
- Learn about the latest trends in HR
The HR field is constantly evolving, and it is essential to stay updated with the latest trends. Books can help you stay abreast of the latest developments in HR.
- Get insights from experts
Experienced professionals write most human resource management books with valuable insights to share. Reading their books can help you get an insight into the working of the HR department and learn about best practices.
- Develop new skills
In addition to improving your understanding of HR concepts, reading Human Resource Management books can also help you develop new skills. Many books offer tips and advice on how to improve your communication, negotiation, and problem-solving skills.
- Boost your career
Reading human resource management books can help you boost your career. By gaining new insights and skills, you will be able to add value to your organization and emerge as a leader in the field of HR.
- Make Better Decisions
In any organization, HR has to make a lot of decisions, some of which can be difficult. Books can help you develop a sound decision-making process and make better decisions for your organization.
- Get Professional Guidance
If you are juggling with issues at work, reading human resource management books can provide you with valuable professional guidance. Many books offer tips and advice on dealing with difficult situations at work.
Thus, reading Human Resource management books can be highly beneficial for anyone working in or aspiring to work in HR. Anyhow, books are the best resource to gain knowledge about any topic, and the same applies to human resources. You can never go wrong with a book by your side.
The Bottom Line
Picking the right human resource management books can be overwhelming. There are many different titles and topics to choose from. The top human resource management books listed above are a great place to start enhancing your HR skills.
If you want some extra knowledge more engagingly and flexibly, you can think about our Post Graduate Certificate in Human Resource Management which is designed for Human Resource Professionals and students as well. The course will develop your theoretical knowledge and understanding of HRM in an applied context, which you can use to improve your HR practices.
More Information:
Objectives & Nature of Human Resource Management
Areas of Emphasis: Human Resource Management
Difference Between Personnel Management And Human Resource Management
