Abstract

The article focuses on myths about women managers. On the assumption that women are significantly different from men in important ways, many organizations have taken the position that special training and development programs are required to prepare women for management positions. Companies are not alone in establishing separate management training programs for women. Educational institutions, such as the University of Michigan's Division of Management Education, conduct programs that are directed to women, apparently on the assumption that women's needs are different. While special treatment appears to be the dominant approach, there are writers and practitioners who believe that women should participate in the same management and supervisory training programs as men, both in and outside the organization. A recent survey of twenty prominent business firms found that although some interest was expressed in special programs for women. Interestingly enough, one other company excludes women entirely from its management-development programs. The overall survey report cautions against the use of special programs unless they are open to all persons who need added exposure in a particular discipline.