We've heard of the Theory X and Theory Y beliefs about worker motivation, but what is it that makes the Theory X manager come into existence? What makes them stay with us despite the wealth of subject matter expertise we've developed over the years?
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Douglas McGregor used the concept of the Theory X manager to represent the prevalent way to manage employees during the 50’s.
Douglas McGregor
In the 1960’s, freedom was a popular concept for postulation about how life should be, and in 1960 McGregor penned his work, The Human Side of Enterprise.
He proposed the “ideal” management theory which he called Theory Y in contrast to the prevailing Theory X style of employee management of the day.
Theory X Manager Definition4
A person responsible for building a team who thinks that humanity is full of self-centered, lazy, childish, creativity free, unintelligent and irresponsible people. Theory X managers think that a precious few representatives of humanity have what it takes to lead, and that this sliver of humanity was born with the traits of an effective leader. McGregor’s called this management style "management by control."
Autocratic and Authoritarian Pessimistic view of employees Micromanages exactly how things get done, rather than being
interested in a successful outcome. Threatens workers in order to get them to act properly Rewards workers when they act the proper way May thank or praise, in order to manipulate the worker Delegates tedious tasks rather than truly delegating authority Withholds raises or bonuses to manipulate worker behavior Assumes that employees dislike work and will avoid
responsibility Assumes that workers must be coerced into pursuing
company goals Blames people rather than processes when things go wrong
• Project Management Course: Theory X Manager: Eeek! http://www.project-management-course.info/theory-x-manager-eeek/ (Accessed 11 Sep 2011)
• The Human Side of Enterprise (Douglas McGregor, 1960)
• Envision Software: Douglas McGregor – Employee Motivation Theory X vs. Theory Yhttp://www.envisionsoftware.com/articles/Theory_X.html (Accessed 11 Sep 2011)