126 HR Quotes to Inspire and Empower HR Professionals

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HR Quotes
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Encouraging Employees and providing them with proper work satisfaction is one of the key reasons for employee engagement and the company’s success and productivity. Often HR professionals face challenges while planning to encourage employee morale and motivation.

 

There are numerous ways for HR to boost employees’ motivation in the long term. A few of those are voice feedback, positive and proven HR quotes, work flexibility, a positive workplace, motivate team members at critical moments.

 

In this blog, we will talk about the best HR quotes that not only motivate employees but also encourage them to do something out of the box for the company.  With the unique HR quotes employees feel connected to their company’s mission and values, and they are more likely to be engaged and committed to their work.

 

Importance of Positive HR Quotes in Every Organization

Is generating positive and energetic quotes for HR Professionals really essential or impactful? Do the employees engage with effective Hr Quotes? Let’s discuss its importance first.

 

  • Teamwork and Engagement

    HR quotes emphasize the importance of teamwork, dedication, innovation, and other positive traits, employees can be inspired to work harder, collaborate more effectively with their colleagues, and strive to achieve their personal and professional goals.

 

  • Leverage Policies

    HR quotes can be used to reinforce important policies or procedures, such as those related to workplace safety or diversity and inclusion, helping to promote a positive and productive work environment.

 

  • Employee Engagement

    HR quotes can be a powerful tool for engaging employees, promoting a positive company culture, and fostering a sense of community and shared purpose within the workplace.

 

Also Read:

Top 126 Most Inspiring HR Quotes for HR Professionals

We are categorising a list of the 50 most inspirational Human resources quotes for the personal and career success of HR professionals and employees that recognizes the value of company culture, build a rewarding employee experience, employee engagement, relationship building, etc. Let us know if you think we missed any!

 

With respect to the variation of quotes for Hr professionals in the business world, we categorise the Human resources quotes into different segments.

  • Human Resources Quotes
  • Recruiting Employees Quotes
  • Leadership Quotes
  • Human Connection Quotes and Communication Quotes
  • Organizational and Personal Development Quotes
  • Employee Talent Quotes
  • Company’s Culture Quotes
  • Empathy Related Quotes
  • Human capital Quotes
  • Funny HR Quotes
  • Motivational HR Quotes

 

Here We Go.

 

Human Resources Quotes

Human resource quotes emphasize the importance of people in organizations and the critical role that HR professionals play in recruiting, developing, and retaining top talent. Here are a few examples:

 

HR Quote - People don't leave companies they leave managers

 

1. “The way you ask for criticism and react when you get it goes a long way toward building trust—or destroying it.” ― Kim Malone Scott

 

2. “Human resources are like natural resources; they’re often buried deep. You have to go looking for them; they’re not just lying around on the surface.” — Ken Robinson

 

3. “Before you are a leader, success is about growing yourself. When you become a leader, success is about growing others.” — Jack Welch

 

4. “Believe you can and you’re halfway there.” — Theodore Roosevelt

 

5. “It takes less time to do a thing right than it does to explain why you did it wrong.” — Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

 

6. “A diamond is merely a lump of coal that did well under pressure.” — Henry Kissenger

 

7. “As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands– one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.” — Audrey Hepburn

 

8. “We rise by lifting others.” — Robert Ingersoll

 

9. “You cannot be a leader, and ask other people to follow you, unless you know how to follow, too.” — Sam Rayburn

 

10. “You cannot mandate productivity; you must provide the tools to let people become their best.” — Steve Jobs

 

Overall, human resource quotes serve as reminders of the critical role that people play in organizations and the importance of valuing, investing in, and developing top talent. HR professionals play a critical role in driving organizational success by recruiting, developing, and retaining top talent that aligns with the company’s values and mission.

 

Recruiting Employees Quotes

Recruitment quotes emphasize the importance of attracting, selecting and hiring smart people for organizations. Here are a few examples:

 

11. “If you hire people just because they can do a job, they’ll work for your money. But if you hire people who believe what you believe, they’ll work for you with blood, sweat, and tears.” — Simon Sinek

 

12. “I’m not the smartest fellow in the world, but I can sure pick smart colleagues.” — Franklin D. Roosevelt

 

13. “Nothing we do is more important than hiring people. At the end of the day, you bet on people, not strategies.” — Lawrence Bossidy

 

14. “Recruitment IS marketing. If you’re a recruiter nowadays and you don’t see yourself as a marketer, you’re in the wrong profession.” — Matthew Jeffrey

 

15. “Recruiting talent is no different than any other challenge a startup faces. It’s all about selling.” — Vivek Wadhwa

 

16. “True leadership isn’t about having an idea. It’s about having an idea and recruiting other people to execute this vision.” — Leila Janah

 

17. “Managers live and die by their recruitment.” — Paul Scholes

 

18. “Time spent on hiring is time well spent.” — Robert Half

 

19. “I look for two things when I hire a new employee: ambition and humility. Without a proven track record of initiative and ambition, it’s likely the person becomes a drain rather than a contributor to the company — even the really smart, talented ones.” — Justin McLeod

 

20. “You need the right people with you, not the best people.” — Jack Ma

 

21. “Hire character. Train skill.” — Peter Schultz

 

22. “Do not hire a man who does your work for money, but him who does it for the love of it.” — Henry David Thoreau

 

Overall, recruitment quotes serve as reminders of the importance of attracting and selecting the right talent for organizations. Investing in the hiring process and selecting individuals who align with the company’s values and culture can have a significant impact on the success of the business.

 

Employee Motivation Quotes

Employee motivation quotes emphasize the importance of inspiring and motivating employees to improvise employee creativity and achieve their best work. Here are a few examples:

 

HR Quote - Treat employees like they make a difference and they will

 

23. “Human resources are like natural resources; they’re often buried deep. You have to go looking for them; they’re not just lying around on the surface.” — Ken Robinson

 

24. “The way you ask for criticism and react when you get it goes a long way toward building trust—or destroying it.” ― Kim Malone Scott

 

25. “It takes less time to do a thing right than it does to explain why you did it wrong.” — Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

 

26. “A diamond is merely a lump of coal that did well under pressure.” — Henry Kissenger

 

27. “Treat employees like they make a difference and they will.” — Jim Goodnight

 

28. “Before you are a leader, success is about growing yourself. When you become a leader, success is about growing others.” — Jack Welch

 

29. “Believe you can and you’re halfway there.” — Theodore Roosevelt

 

30. “You cannot be a leader, and ask other people to follow you, unless you know how to follow, too.” — Sam Rayburn

 

31. “We rise by lifting others.” — Robert Ingersoll

 

32. “As you grow older, you will discover that you have two hands– one for helping yourself, the other for helping others.” — Audrey Hepburn

 

33. “You cannot mandate productivity; you must provide the tools to let people become their best.” — Steve Jobs

 

Overall, employee motivation quotes serve as reminders of the importance of inspiring and motivating employees to achieve their best work. By valuing and investing in employees, providing meaningful work and growth opportunities, and recognizing and rewarding their contributions, organizations can create a culture of engagement, passion, and purpose that drives employee motivation and performance.

 

Employee Talent Quotes

Employee talent quotes emphasize the importance of identifying, developing, and leveraging employees’ unique skills and abilities to drive organizational success. Here are a few examples:

 

34. “Nothing we do is more important than hiring people. At the end of the day, you bet on people, not strategies.” – Lawrence Bossidy

 

35. “In most cases, being a good boss means hiring talented people and then getting out of their way.”  – Tina Fey

 

36. “I am convinced that nothing we do is more important than hiring and developing people. At the end of the day, you bet on people, not on strategies.” – Lawrence Bossidy

 

37. “Hire character. Train skill.” – Peter Schutz

 

38. “Recently, I was asked if I was going to fire an employee who made a mistake that cost the company $600,000. No, I replied, I just spent $600,000 training him. Why would I want somebody to hire his experience?” – Thomas John Watson Sr.

 

39. “When people are financially invested, they want a return. When people are emotionally invested, they want to contribute.” – Simon Sinek

 

40. “Development can help great people be even better – but if I had a dollar to spend, I’d spend 70 cents getting the right person in the door.” – Paul Russell

 

41. “You cannot push anyone up the ladder unless he is willing to climb.” – Andrew Carnegie

 

42. “One machine can do the work of fifty ordinary men. No machine can do the work of one extraordinary man.” – Elbert Hubbard

 

43. “You’re not just recruiting employees, but are sowing the seeds of your reputation.” – Unknown 

 

44. “Ultimately, delivering strategy is about hiring the right people and motivating them to deliver results.” – Helen M. & P. Schubert 

 

45. “Hire for passion and intensity; there is training for everything.” – Nolan Bushnell

 

Overall, employee talent quotes serve as reminders of the importance of identifying, developing, and leveraging employees’ unique skills and abilities to drive organizational success.

 

By valuing and investing in employees, providing opportunities for growth and development, and fostering a culture of collaboration and teamwork, organizations can harness the power of employee talent and train people to achieve their goals and objectives.

 

Leadership Quotes

Leadership quotes emphasize the importance of effective leadership in driving organizational success. Here are a few examples:

 

46. “To win the marketplace, you must first win the workplace.” – Doug Conant

 

47. “The first responsibility of a leader is to define reality. The last is to say thank you. In between, the leader is a servant.” – Max de Pree

 

48. “Train people well enough so they can leave. Treat them well enough so they don’t have to.” – Sir Richard Branson

 

49. “Any idiot can point out a problem… A leader is willing to do something about it! Leaders solve problems!” – Tony Robbins

 

50. “Inventories can be managed but people must be led.” – Ross Perot

 

51. “Leadership is about giving people a platform for spreading ideas that work.” – Seth Godin

 

52. “High achievement always takes place in the framework of high expectation.” – Charles Kettering

 

53. “If you’re good to your staff when things are going well, they’ll rally when times go bad.”  – Mary Kay Ash

 

54. “What chance gathers she easily scatters. A great person attracts great people and knows how to hold them together.” – Johann Wolfgang Von Goethe

 

55. “True leadership lies in guiding others to success. In ensuring that everyone is performing at their best, doing the work they are pledged to do, and doing it well.” – Bill Owens

 

56. “Management is nothing more than the motivation of other people” – Lee Iacocca

 

57. “To handle yourself, use your head; to handle others, use your heart.” – Eleanor Roosevelt

 

58. ‘The more seriously you take your growth, the more seriously your people will take you.” – John Maxwell

 

59. “Children imitate their parents, employees their managers.” – Amit Kalantri

 

Overall, leadership quotes serve as reminders of the importance of effective leadership in driving organizational success. By inspiring and motivating others, prioritizing the needs of others, having a clear vision and the ability to execute that vision, and developing and nurturing the leadership skills of others, leaders can create a culture of collaboration, innovation, and success.

 

Human Connection Quotes and Communication Quotes

Human Connection quotes emphasize the importance of building meaningful relationships and connections with others, while Communication quotes emphasize the importance of effective communication in building those relationships and achieving organizational success. Here are a few examples:

 

60. Every good conversation starts with listening.” – Tom Haak

 

61. “The single biggest problem in communication is the illusion that it has taken place.” – George Bernard Shaw 

 

62. “Communication – the human connection – is the key to personal and career success.” – Paul J. Meyer 

 

63. “Communication leads to community, that is, to understanding, intimacy and mutual valuing” – Rollo May 

 

64. “The most important thing in communication is hearing what isn’t said.” – Peter Drucker

 

65. “To effectively communicate, we must realize that we are all different in the way we perceive the world and use this understanding as a guide to our communication with others.” – Tony Robbins

 

66. “The two words ‘information’ and ‘communication’ are often used interchangeably, but they signify quite different things. Information is giving out; communication is getting through.” – Sydney J. Harris 

 

67. “We never listen when we are eager to speak” – Francois de la Rochefoucauld 

 

68. “Brevity is the soul of wit.” – William Shakespeare

 

69. “We have two ears and one mouth so that we can listen twice as much as we speak.” – Epictetus

 

70. “For effective communication think about how is your speech is perceived than in what you are actually saying.” – Byron Rivers 

 

71. “The most important thing in communication is hearing what isn’t being said. The art of reading between the lines is a lifelong quest of the wise.” – Shannon L. Alder

 

72. “Effective communication is 20% what you know and 80% how you feel about what you know.” – Jim Rohn

 

73. “When the trust account is high, communication is easy, instant, and effective.” – Stephen R. Covey

 

74. “If you have nothing to say, say nothing” – Mark Twain

 

75. “Your ability to communicate is an important tool in the pursuit of your goals, whether it is with your family, your co-workers or your clients and customers.” – Lee Brown

 

76. “Be Sincere; be brief, be seated” – Franklin D. Roosevelt 

 

77. “Ensure your documentation is short and sharp and make much more use of people-to-people communication.” – Bentley and Borman

 

78. “Communication is a skill that you can learn. It’s like riding a bicycle or typing. If you’re willing to work at it, you can rapidly improve the quality of every part of your life.” – Brian Tracy

 

79. “I speak to everyone in the same way, whether he is the garbage man or the president of the university.” – Albert Einstein

 

Human Connection and Communication quotes serve as reminders of the importance of building meaningful relationships and connections with others, and the role of effective communication in achieving those connections and driving organizational success.

 

By prioritizing empathy, active listening, and clear and effective communication, individuals and organizations can build a culture of collaboration, trust, and success.

 

Rewarding Employee Experience Quotes

Rewarding Employee Experience Quotes emphasize the importance of creating a positive and fulfilling work environment for employees. Here are a few examples:

 

HR Quote - Employees are a companys greatest asset they are your competitive advantage

 

80. “Employees who believe that management is concerned about them as a whole person – not just an employee – are more productive, more satisfied, more fulfilled. Satisfied employees mean satisfied customers, which leads to profitability.” – Anne M. Mulcahy, former CEO of Xerox

 

81. “Take care of your employees, and they will take care of your business.” – Richard Branson, founder of Virgin Group

 

82. “The success of a company starts with its employees. Treat them right, and they will treat your customers right.” – Herb Kelleher, former CEO of Southwest Airlines

 

83. “Recognition is the greatest motivator.” – Gerard C. Eakedale, American psychologist and author

 

84. “The way your employees feel is the way your customers will feel. And if your employees don’t feel valued, neither will your customers.” – Sybil F. Stershic, marketing and employee engagement expert

 

85. “Employees who feel appreciated will always do more than what is expected.” – Unknown

 

86. “When employees are happy, they are your very best ambassadors.” – James Sinegal, co-founder and former CEO of Costco

 

These quotes highlight the importance of valuing and recognizing employees, as it leads to increased productivity, job satisfaction, and customer loyalty.

 

Organizational and Personal Development Quotes

Organizational and personal development quotes emphasize the importance of continuous learning, growth, and development in both individuals and organizations. This quote speaks to the importance of personal development, collaboration and teamwork in organizational development and success.

 

87. “The only way to do great work is to love what you do.” – Steve Jobs

 

88. “Leadership and learning are indispensable to each other.” – John F. Kennedy

 

89. “If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” – African Proverb

 

90. “An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.” – Benjamin Franklin

 

91. “Change is the only constant in life.” – Heraclitus

 

Overall, organizational and personal development quotes serve as reminders of the importance of continuous learning, growth, and development in achieving personal and organizational success.

 

Company’s Culture Quotes

Company culture quotes emphasize the importance of building a positive and engaging work environment that fosters collaboration, innovation, and growth. Here are a few examples:

 

HR Quote - Culture eats strategy for breakfast

 

92. “Part of company culture is path-dependent – it’s the lessons you learn along the way.” — Jeff Bezos

 

93. “Company cultures are like country cultures. Never try to change one. Try, instead, to work with what you’ve got.” —Peter Drucker

 

94. “Like people, when companies work to foster a culture of collaboration, communication becomes second nature.” — Doug McMillon

 

95. “Ultimately, what any company does when it is successful is merely a lagging indicator of its existing culture.” — Satya Nadella

 

96. “The company culture is about being human, being good to other people.” — Logan Green

 

97. “Every time I see high-trust cultures, I see a lessening of adversarialism.” — Stephen Covey

 

98. “Culture is simply a shared way of doing something with a passion.” — Brian Chesky

 

99. “Customers will never love a company until the employees love it first.” — Simon Sinek

 

100. “Corporate culture is the only sustainable competitive advantage that is completely within the control of the entrepreneur.” — David Cumming

 

101. “There’s no magic formula for great company culture. The key is just to treat your staff how you would like to be treated.” — Richard Branson

 

102. “Businesses often forget about the culture, and ultimately, they suffer for it because you can’t deliver good service from unhappy employees.” — Tony Hsieh

 

Overall, company culture quotes serve as reminders of the importance of building a positive and engaging work environment that fosters collaboration, innovation, and growth. A strong company culture can be a key factor in attracting and retaining top talent, driving employee engagement and satisfaction, and ultimately, achieving long-term success.

 

Empathy Related Quotes

Empathy Related Quotes emphasize the importance of understanding and relating to others’ experiences, emotions, and perspectives. Here are a few examples:

 

103. “The greater good is achieved by not only telling people what they need to know, but also filling them with a sense of empathy and love.” — Abigail Disney

 

104. “Empathy is the starting point for creating a community and taking action. It’s the impetus for creating change.” — Max Carver

 

105. “Resilience is, of course, necessary for a warrior. But a lack of empathy isn’t.” — Phil Klay

 

106. “Empathy is about standing in someone else’s shoes, feeling with his or her heart, seeing with his or her eyes. Not only is empathy hard to outsource and automate, but it makes the world a better place.” — Daniel H. Pink

 

107. “Empathy is simply listening, holding space, withholding judgment, emotionally connecting, and communicating that incredibly healing message of you’re not alone.” — Brene Brown

 

108. “I think we all have empathy. We may not have enough courage to display it.” Maya Angelou

 

109. “Compassion is empathy plus action.” ― Kim Malone Scott

 

110. “We think we listen, but very rarely do we listen with real understanding, true empathy. Yet listening, of this very special kind, is one of the most potent forces for change that I know.” — Carl Rogers

 

111. “Wherever there is a human being there is an opportunity for kindness.” — Seneca

 

112. “Sometimes all a person wants is an empathetic ear; all he or she needs is to talk it out. Just offering a listening ear and an understanding heart for his or her suffering can be a big comfort.” ― Roy T. Bennett

 

Empathy is about finding echoes of another person in yourself.” — Mohsin Hamid

 

Overall, Empathy Related Quotes serve as reminders of the importance of understanding and relating to others’ experiences, emotions, and perspectives. By prioritizing empathy, active listening, and emotional connection, individuals can build stronger relationships and foster greater understanding and compassion in their personal and professional lives.

 

Human capital quotes

Human capital quotes emphasize the importance of investing in people as a critical asset of an organization. Here are a few examples:

 

114. Where people aren’t having fun, they seldom produce good work.” — David Ogilvy

 

115. “The most important thing that we entrepreneurs have is our human capital. If we exhaust it, we make bad decisions.” — Arianna Huffington

 

116. “In the long run, your human capital is your main base of competition. Your leading indicator of where you’re going to be 20 years from now is how well you’re doing in your education system.” — Bill Gates

 

117. “When people are your greatest asset, like at Deloitte, investments in human capital should be considered in the same way other companies might invest significantly in product R&D.” — Cathy Engelbert

 

118. “It’s about getting the best people, retaining them, nurturing a creative environment & helping to find a way to innovate.” — Marissa Mayer

 

119. “Human beings have an innate inner drive to be autonomous, self-determined and connected to one another. And, when that drive is liberated, people achieve more and live richer lives.” — Daniel Pink

 

120. “Great vision without great people is irrelevant.” — Jim Collins

 

Human Capital Quotes serve as reminders of the critical role that people play in the success of an organization. By investing in their development, well-being, and engagement, organizations can build a strong and sustainable human capital base that drives innovation, growth, and long-term success.

 

Funny HR Quotes

Funny HR quotes can add a touch of humour to the often serious and formal world of human resources. Here are a few examples:

 

121. “I will always choose a lazy person to do a hard job because a lazy person will find an easy way to do it.” — Bill Gates

 

122. “Good judgment comes from experience, and experience comes from bad judgment.” — Rita Mae Brown

 

123. “The brain is a wonderful organ; it starts working the moment you get up in the morning and does not stop until you get into the office.” — Robert Frost

 

124. “The closest to perfection a person ever comes is when he fills out a job application form.​” — Stanley J. Randall

 

125. “When your work speaks for itself, don’t interrupt.” — Henry J. Kaiser

 

126. “Be like a postage stamp. Stick to a thing till you get there.” — Josh Billings

 

Overall, Funny HR Quotes can add levity to the often serious and formal world of human resources, while still highlighting the important role that HR professionals play in managing conflicts, supporting employee well-being, and driving organizational success.

 

At the End

HR quotes cover a wide range of topics, from leadership and communication to employee motivation and development. They serve as reminders of the critical role that people play in the success of an organization, and the importance of investing in their well-being, development, and engagement.

 

Whether serious or humorous, HR quotes can inspire, motivate, and guide HR professionals, managers, and employees in their daily work and interactions. By embracing the principles and values highlighted in HR quotes, individuals and organizations can build stronger relationships, enhance their performance, and achieve greater success.

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