HRD development as a functional leader. Knowledge and skills that will be essential over the next 5 to 10 years

18/ 09/ 2025

On September 15, with the support of the European Business Association, the first public meeting of HRD Club Ukraine took place in Lviv. The event brought together HR directors and business leaders at Premier Hotel Dnister. 💬 During the meeting, participants had an open and meaningful discussion on: 🔸 The future of the HR function. Why HR professionals often become true leaders in times of crisis, taking responsibility, supporting teams, and frequently stepping in for absent managers. 🔸 The concept of conscious leadership (servant leadership). Leadership is not a position, but actions. A leader is someone who creates an environment where people feel better with you than without you. As Renata Delporte noted, “Leadership is when you believe in people more than they believe in themselves.” 🔸 Key HRD competencies. Strategic, critical, and creative thinking are more important than any individual skills. HR leaders must see the system as a whole, analyze the root causes of conflicts, and turn abstract ideas into practical solutions. 🔸 Ukraine’s unique experience. The war has made Ukrainian HR professionals highly agile. Our approaches can be valuable globally, while at the same time we must actively implement digitalization and artificial intelligence to remain competitive. 🔸 Scenario thinking. In today’s environment, long term strategies are giving way to scenario planning, preparing for multiple possible developments, even the most challenging ones. 🔸 Wellbeing and resilience. Constant moderate stress has become a challenge for most HR professionals and teams. It is therefore essential to remember that caring for others begins with caring for oneself. 🙏 We thank the experts and all participants for the open dialogue and willingness to share experiences. Together, we are shaping a new HR culture in Ukraine.

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On September 15, with the support of the European Business Association, the first public meeting of HRD Club Ukraine took place in Lviv. The event brought together HR directors and business leaders at Premier Hotel Dnister.

💬 During the meeting, participants had an open and meaningful discussion on:

🔸 The future of the HR function. Why HR professionals often become true leaders in times of crisis, taking responsibility, supporting teams, and frequently stepping in for absent managers.

🔸 The concept of conscious leadership (servant leadership). Leadership is not a position, but actions. A leader is someone who creates an environment where people feel better with you than without you. As Renata Delporte noted, “Leadership is when you believe in people more than they believe in themselves.”

🔸 Key HRD competencies. Strategic, critical, and creative thinking are more important than any individual skills. HR leaders must see the system as a whole, analyze the root causes of conflicts, and turn abstract ideas into practical solutions.

🔸 Ukraine’s unique experience. The war has made Ukrainian HR professionals highly agile. Our approaches can be valuable globally, while at the same time we must actively implement digitalization and artificial intelligence to remain competitive.

🔸 Scenario thinking. In today’s environment, long term strategies are giving way to scenario planning, preparing for multiple possible developments, even the most challenging ones.

🔸 Wellbeing and resilience. Constant moderate stress has become a challenge for most HR professionals and teams. It is therefore essential to remember that caring for others begins with caring for oneself.

🙏 We thank the experts and all participants for the open dialogue and willingness to share experiences. Together, we are shaping a new HR culture in Ukraine.