As one studies for the PMI exam, on reviews McGregor's Theory X and Theory Y. Having spent about 10 years in the workforce, and 6 of those leading and managing others, its interesting to see how often the differences are a manner of style.
McGregor's Theory X is the root cause of micromanagement. The concept surmises workers need to be constantly watched and instructed what to do. Managers who believe this philosophy assume that the average staff member dislikes work and avoids work whenever possible. The work is only motivated by money, position, and punishment. In addition, the worker avoids increased responsibility and seeks to be directed. The acceptance of Theory X will result in an authoritarian management style over the team and allowing for little collaboration or even participation in decision making.
McGregor's Theory Y is the root cause of employee empowerment. This concept emphasizes that staff are self-discipline and would like to do the job themselves. The team members are active and supportive in our work climate and find the work itself rewarding. Adopting this philosophy will produce self-direction towards goals without coercion or control. Teammates will seek opportunities for personal improvement and self-respect.
In reviewing, I have found I tend to use both methods and attitudes depending on the situation. In the future, I'm going to challenge myself to prescribe to Theory Y, and give those staff and team members where I would normally use Theory X, the chance for Theory Y.
Subscribe and Share!
Did you enjoy this article? Your feedback is very important! I'd like to invite you to keep up to date with the latest posts from Anticlue. We offer several venues. If you have some questions, help can be found here.- Become a Facebook Fan
- Subscribe to Anticlue
- Follow me on Twitter
- Add to Technorati Favorites
- Digg this post
1 Comments to “Managing in light of McGregor's Theory X and Theory Y”
Please do not consider this spam. This is for a important cause. I am posting this on as many sites as I can. Please tell your friends to come too! I will be putting up a petition soon.
Not subscriptions, not ANY form of paid accounts, twitter this is WRONG and you will drive away a lot of users. Join this group to protest against Twitter's proposals of paid accounts. We urge Twitter to advertise on their site rather than charge users to use it.
Twitter's servers are already cracking under the strain of the traffic they get. Who would want to pay for something that is slow & goes down all the time. What will they give us, a 'premium failwhale'?
Recent news is that b/c of a spammer, twitter is coming out this summer with premium accounts that will cost money. One of the best things about twitter, is that it's free to tweet! I for one will not pay, join in my group if you won't either!
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/group.php?gid=103507618736&ref=mf



