The Research of Odell on Novice Managers' Needs

Based on Sandra Odellís Research, 1986

INDEX

• The Perceived Needs of New Managers
• Notes - Very important for interpreting these findings
• Compare these findings to the very different findings in similar research by Veenmen

The Perceived Needs of New Managers

Perceived Problem	Rank Order of Needs
Strategies for assessing & meeting client needs & increasing the desired results	1
Personal, emotional & professional support	2
Advice on locating and accessing resources and materials or equipment for improving work processes	3
Information on organizational policies, culture, and procedures	4
Better techniques to manage the work & subordinates	5

NOTES:
ï In some ways similar to Veenmanís analysis (1984), Sandra Odellís (1986) meta analysis was of a large number of research studies which had been done of new employee perceived needs near the end of the employeesí first year of employment.

ï In contrast to Veenmanís, these findings in a meta analysis Sandra Odellís (1986) was of settings in which at least minimal levels of mentoring & orientation support were provided.

Comparison of these two major syntheses of research by Veenman & by Odell dramatically expands our understanding of the value of providing the support needed by new employees. Odell says that her rank order clearly implies that for new employees to whom assistance has been provided, personal/survival needs have been eliminated and client/customer and results-oriented needs have become the most important.

In contrast, for new employees to whom no assistance has been provided, self-focused needs and those related to managing work tasks and subordinates predominate. Clearly, when no support is provided, new employees struggle to effectively manage even their most basic responsibilities.

Odellís conclusion was that by offering new employees structured support in their early years, organizations help them diminish their self-focused and task-related problems. The result is that then new employees, like veterans, are better able to focus more on effectively addressing the needs of customers or clients and delivering the desired results expected by the organization for which they work.

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