The Boss's Role in Management Development

Many of the situational factors affecting career motivation are under the boss's control. The perception of several bosses of their role in management development in two companies is examined. The cases are derived from interviews with bosses of young first‐line managers. Interviews were also conducted with one subordinate of each boss. Company A did not have a management development programme, company B did. The boss's role in a subordinate's management development should be viewed in relation to the career development policies and programmes of the organisation. He or she can have a positive effect on career motivation even in an environment which is not conducive to career development. Boss training should focus on how to enhance subordinates' career motivation by encouraging individual contribution and personal growth. Bosses should be evaluated on the attention they give to subordinate career development.