How Useful is Career Planning for Today′s Managers?

Abstract

The utility of career planning for managers is evaluated. The current activities and beliefs of practising managers are drawn on. The results of a study of 50 women and men managers support other empirical findings and point to the absence of career planning and future plans in managers′ lives. This is contrary to the advice given to women managers, in particular, which advocates the importance of career planning in career advancement. Implications drawn for management development suggest that career planning is not useful as a broad strategy for advancement, is a misnomer, and may lead managers into following plans rather than developing the flexibility to take opportunities.

Citation

Pringle, J.K. and Gold, U.O. (1989), "How Useful is Career Planning for Today′s Managers?", Journal of Management Development, Vol. 8 No. 3, pp. 21-26. https://doi.org/10.1108/EUM0000000001347