Personal Factors, Wants, and Needs: Exploring Vocational Anticipatory Socialization Through Young Adults’ Preferences for Managerial Communication Behaviors

Abstract

As research continues to indicate a chasm between new hires’ expectations and what managers are equipped to provide, the current research uses a mixed-methods design to explore vocational anticipatory socialization from the perspective of young adults. Through a mix of reliable and valid survey instruments and open-ended items, traditionally aged college students provide insight on how personal factors (i.e., self-efficacy, self-worth, leader identification, etc.) and expressed needs and wants for managerial communication behaviors may influence young adults’ preferences for various approaches to management. Study results indicate that young adults who are particularly self-efficacious want a manager-mentor, whereas those with lower levels of self-efficacy indicate a desire for less task and relational direction from future leaders. This could result in isolation if these employees are not integrated into routine support and growth opportunities. Theoretical and pragmatic implications are discussed with specific recommendations for teacher-scholars, recruiters, and managers.

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