McGregor's Theory X and Theory Y

McGregor's Theory X and Theory Y

McGregor created Theory X and Theory Y of human work motivation and explained two styles of management known as authoritarian (Theory X) and participative (Theory Y). Theory X management assumes most people will attempt to avoid work whereas Theory Y managers trust their people to take ownership of their work.

About McGregor:

Douglas Murray McGregor (1906 – 1 October 1964) was a Management professor at the MIT Sloan School of Management and president of Antioch College from 1948 to 1954. McGregor was born in Detroit. He earned a B.E. (Mechanical) from Rangoon Institute of Technology, an A.B. from Wayne State University in 1932, and then earned an M.A. and Ph.D. in psychology from Harvard University in 1944 and 1955 respectively. His 1960 book “The Human Side of Enterprise” had a profound influence on education practices.  In the book The Human Side of Enterprise, McGregor identified an approach of creating an environment within which employees are motivated via authoritative, direction and control or integration and self-control, which he called theory X and theory Y, respectively.

McGregor (1960) categorized leadership styles into two broad categories having two different beliefs and assumptions about subordinates. He called these Theory X and Theory Y.

What are Theory X and Theory Y?

This theory is an attempt to understand what actually motivates employees to go to work each day and whether people like to be independent and work hard themselves or they always need a leader to control and guide them. Whether people get great satisfaction from their work and they are proud of it or view it as a burden, and they just work as they need to work to survive. This theory tries to study this question of motivation to identify successful approaches to management.

Social psychologist Douglas McGregor developed two divergent theories on human motivation and called them as The X Theory and the Theory Y. One theory assumes that most people like working and the other contrasts that most dislike working. The management style of any manager will be strongly influenced by his beliefs and assumptions about what he thinks are the drivers of motivation for the team. If the manager believes that they dislike work, he might tend to adopt authoritarian style of management whereas the leader who assumes that employees like working will tend to adopt democratic style.

What is Theory X?

THeoryXTheory X assumes that employees are naturally unmotivated and dislike working. As a result the Theory X style of leaders believes that most people dislike work and will avoid it wherever possible. Such leaders feel they themselves are a small but important group, who want to lead and take responsibility, but a large majority of people want to be directed and avoid responsibility. Therefore, this style of leadership exercises strong controls and direction and wherever necessary punish people if they do not do the work and this encourages an authoritarian style of management. If people do the work as desired, they may even get monetary or other rewards. According to this view, management must actively intervene to get things done.

This style of management assumes that workers:

  • Dislike working.
  • Avoid responsibility
  • Need constant supervision
  • Need to be directed.
  • Need to be controlled
  • Need to be forced to deliver
  • Need controls put in place
  • Need to be induced to produce results
  • Need incentives to work.
  • Cannot delegate

What is Theory Y?

TheoryYIt assumes that employees are self-motivated, like working, self-motivated and take pride in getting greater responsibility. As a result, Theory Y leaders assume that people will work hard and assume responsibility if they can satisfy their personal needs and the objectives or goals of their organization. Such leaders do not sharply distinguish between the leaders and the followers in contrast to Theory X style. They feel that people control themselves within rather than being controlled by others from outside such as a leader or a manager or a supervisor. Theory Y explicates a participative style of management that is de-centralized. In Y-Type organizations, people at lower levels of the organization are involved in decision making and have more responsibility.

This style of management assumes that workers:

  • Like working
  • Takes responsibility
  • Are self-motivated
  • Are self-driven to accomplish organizational goals
  • Seek greater responsibility
  • Are self-directed
  • Need fewer or no controls
  • Does not need much direction
  • Are creative
  • Solve work problems imaginatively

Comparing Theory X and Theory Y:

An effective leader needs to examine carefully their own ideas about the motivation and behavior of subordinates and others, as well as the situation, before adopting a particular style of leadership. Given below is a table explaining the contrast between Theory X and Theory Y.

Attribute

Theory X

Theory Y

Motivation

Dislike Work

Self-Motivated

Responsibility

Avoid Responsibility

Enjoy Greater Responsibility

Management

Authoritarian

Democratic / Participative

Control

Centralized

De-Centralized

Decision Making

Management Decides

Jointly Decision Making Happens

Skills

Repetitive Work

Specialized Work

Training

Skills Driven

Competency Driven

Awards

Based on Performance

Based on Performance and Values

Delegation

Not Possible

Delegation Happens

Delivery

Forced to Perform

Self-driven Delivery

Change

Resist Change

Adapts to Change

Direction

Formal Directions

Self-Driven

Implications of Theory X and Theory Y:

Theory X and Theory Y relates to Maslow's hierarchy of needs in how human behavior and motivation is the main priority in the workplace in order to maximize output. In relations to Theory Y the organization is trying to create the most symbiotic relationship between the managers and workers which relates to Maslow's hierarchy of needs of Self Actualization and Esteem. For Self Actualization the manager needs to promote the optimum workplace through morality, creativity, spontaneity, problem solving, lack of prejudice, and acceptance of facts. It can relate to esteem when the manager is trying to promote self-esteem, confidence, achievement, respect of others, and respect by others.

Very few organizations use Theory X techniques. Theory X encourages use of tight control and supervision and takes a pessimistic view of employees. It implies that employees are reluctant to organizational changes. Thus, it does not encourage innovation and encourages an authoritarian style of management. Many organizations use Theory Y techniques. Theory Y encourages decentralization of authority, teamwork and participative decision making in an organization. It tries to harmonize and match employees’ needs and aspirations with organizational needs and aspirations. 

Related Links

You May Also Like

  • Reciprocal Influence Approach

    Reciprocal Influence Approach

    Reciprocal influence theory also known as reciprocal determinism is authored by Albert Bandura and states that an individual's behavior influences and is influenced by both the social world and personal characteristics. Three factors that influence behavior are the environment, the individual, and the behavior itself. Certain leader behaviors can cause subordinate behaviors and reciprocal influence on the leader by the group.

  • Multiple Linkage Model

    Multiple Linkage Model

    The multiple linkage model states that leadership effectiveness is based on six variables. Multiple variables of a leader's behavior and situation have a linkage to the performance of the individual follower and work unit performance. The theory is based on the notion of the link between the organization process and managerial influence.

  • Functional leadership theory

    Functional leadership theory

    Functional leadership theory addresses specific leader behaviors that are expected to contribute most to the organizational effectiveness by focusing on how the leadership process occurs. The leader should ensure that all needs of the group get addressed.

  • The Systemic Approach to Leadership

    The Systemic Approach to Leadership

    The systemic approach to leadership looks at the organization as a whole and focuses on the understanding of the organization as a system. Moving to systems thinking demand managers to view organizations as organic systems. Leaders are also part of this complex system which is constantly undergoing change and evolving. The leaders need to manage the relations and networks within these systems by acting with systemic awareness.

  • Five-Factor Personality Model

    Five-Factor Personality Model

    Five Factors Model (FFM) also known as Five-Factor Personality Model is based on five broad personality traits which are extraversion, neuroticism, openness to experience, agreeableness, and conscientiousness represented by acronym OCEAN, these traits are often referred to as the “Big Five”.

  • Emergent Leadership Theory

    Emergent Leadership Theory

    In emergent leadership, the leader is not appointed or elected to the leadership role but emerges as the leader as he is perceived by others over time as a result of the group's interaction. A person steps up as the leader over time by taking on tasks voluntarily, helping others complete their tasks better, and building consensus among groups.

  • Authentic Leadership

    Authentic Leadership

    Authentic leadership is a new approach to leadership in which leaders are genuine, self-aware, transparent, build honest relationships, and work on an ethical foundation. Authenticity is one of the core values of leadership. Authentic leaders have truthful self-concepts and they inspire by promoting openness by acting in a real, genuine, and sincere way. Authenticity requires self-awareness and the ability to act in accordance with one's true self.

  • Situational Leadership Model

    Situational Leadership Model

    The Hersey and Blanchard Situational Theory model suggests that a leader must adapt his leadership style based on task and relationship behaviors appropriate to the situation. Leadership style is dependent on the maturity level and abilities of followers. Under this model, successful leadership is both task-relevant and relationship-relevant.

  • Generating Ideas using Brainstorming

    Generating Ideas using Brainstorming

    The brainstorming technique was developed by Alex F. Osborn in 1957 and brainstorming means where a team of members generates a large amount of alternative fruitful ideas on a specific problem without any criticism and then evaluates each idea in terms of their pros and cons. Brainstorming techniques fall into four broad categories: visioning, exploring, modifying, and experimenting.

  • Contingency Theories of Leadership

    Contingency Theories of Leadership

    Contingency theories of leadership focus on both the leader's persona as well as the situation/environment in which that leader operates. These theories consider the context of leadership which means whether or not the leadership style suits a particular situation and states that a leader can be effective in one circumstance and a failure in another one. A leader will be most effective when he applies the right leadership style to a given situation and environment around him. Contingent leaders are flexible and adaptable.

Explore Our Free Training Articles or
Sign Up to Start With Our eLearning Courses

Subscribe to Our Newsletter


© 2023 TechnoFunc, All Rights Reserved