In an era of rapid workplace change, resilience has emerged as a crucial attribute for HR teams, according to the latest research from McLean & Company. Their report, "Build a Resilient HR Organization," provides HR leaders with a structured framework to enhance their teams' ability to manage stress, navigate change, and increase their overall impact within organisations.
As workplace demands escalate, HR professionals are faced with complex challenges that require them to act as policy experts, change agents, and emotional support providers. Kelly Berte, practice lead for HR Research & Advisory Services at McLean & Company, emphasised, “Work resilience is not something HR is just born with; it takes awareness and effort to develop. HR organizations must recognise the importance of building their own resilience to meet the evolving demands of the role.”
The research highlights that 36% of HR professionals report experiencing higher stress levels compared to the previous year. Additionally, 68% face capacity issues that hinder their ability to meet essential priorities. The 2025 HR Trends Report indicates that half of HR leaders now view their teams as essential partners in organisational strategy, marking a five-point increase from the previous year.
However, without resilience, the emotional demands placed on HR can lead to burnout, disengagement, and turnover, which ultimately undermines their capacity to support the business effectively. The new framework outlines a three-step process for building resilience: assessing needs, selecting targeted techniques, and implementing sustainable behavioural change.
The first step involves defining HR's resilience needs, which helps leaders identify current challenges and gaps. The second step focuses on choosing practical techniques tailored to address specific issues within the team. Finally, the third step prepares the launch of these techniques, emphasising communication and monitoring to ensure ongoing progress.
The benefits of resilience for HR teams are both measurable and impactful. According to McLean & Company’s 2023 HR Trends Report, HR professionals who consider their teams highly resilient are 24% more likely to find purpose in their work and 18% less likely to experience burnout. Furthermore, HR teams with lower stress levels are 1.2 times more likely to be perceived as highly effective by their organisations.
“Just like on an airplane, HR must put on its own oxygen mask first to support the organisation,” Berte noted. By prioritising their resilience, HR teams not only enhance their well-being but also model adaptability and a growth mindset for the entire organisation.
For organisations looking to delve deeper into related areas such as culture, wellbeing, or foundational HR strategy, McLean & Company offers workshops and training programs designed to foster a healthier organisational environment.
