There are a variety of approaches to helping people manager their career development. When it comes to helping people do this in the context of an organization,I have found the Schein’s Career Anchors model is particularly appropriate.
When I lead career management session in organization settings,I have found that employees need a core set of pieces to help them be effective. These include understanding their:
- Core motivations and values;
- Natural skills and abilities (aka competencies);
- Social network and how to leverage it appropriately;
- How to get from here to there.
Schein’s work is particularly helpful for assisting individuals to understand their core motivations and values. It is a distinct approach from other value’s models though. The model is based on the notion that each person has one career anchor that is constant throughout his or her career and is the primary need. When a person’s work is in alignment with this primary anchor,the career will have the potential for fulfillment,however,when it is not met,then there will be frustration and disengagement.
Originally based on five anchors,Schein later expanded it to eight. Others who also researched this model and approach (e.g. Brooklyn Derr) kept the model to five anchors. Personally,I preferred having the eight anchors. What is missing however is current research on this model. To my knowledge,the anchors have not been re-evaluated since 1996. The Pfeiffer Company is offering an online version of the questionnaire,however,they do not provide any evidence of recent research.
If you intend to use this in an organizational setting,I do recommend a group delivery,as it is very empowering for the participants to realize how a person can work in a similar role and have different motivations. It is also important to ensure that you use the interview process,not just the questionnaire. In my experience the career history is a very powerful component of the learning process.
You can learn more about Schein’s work here: http://www.solonline.org/res/wp/10009.html
Additionally,if you are planning to deliver a group workshop,you are welcome to access the PowerPoint slides I used here:http://www.slideshare.net/rstraby/career-anchors-workshop
You will want to change the background to meet your needs.
I welcome your reflections on this approach should you choose to implement it!
Cheers! Rob
Update:Thanks to Bill Bell for mentioning this research update:http://www.emeraldinsight.com/journals.htm?articleid=1663093
