Comparison Of Douglas Mcgregor's Theory X And Theory Y

Improved Essays
Douglas McGregor was an American Social Psychologist. He was born in 1906 in Detroit, MI., and passed away October 1, 1964, in Massachusetts at the age of 58. He studied at Harvard University, where he later became a professor. Later in his career, McGregor became president of Antioch College in 1948. Douglas was president there for six years.
McGregor had an informal teaching style. Most students recall him sitting with his feet up on the desk or walking around jangling keys or coins as he spoke. Douglas did not publish much but when he did it had great impact. Such as his book titled “The Human Side of Enterprise" published in 1960. A few of his other books include Professional Manager (1967) and Leadership and Motivation.
Abraham H. Maslow
…show more content…
The assumptions for the X and Y theory are based off assumptions of social science research. Here is a break down summary of each theory type. Assumptions under Theory X are, the average human being dislikes work and will avoid it if possible. A person under this category prefers to be directed and controlled. Also, people in this category needs to me motivated to get tasks complete. ” These managers tend to micro-manage, be extremely task oriented and not put much emphasis on building positive relationships. Little emphasis is shown towards developing a positive work environment, and recognition and appreciation would be rare. People working for these managers tend to be motivated by fear and feel unappreciated.” (Friesen, W.) On the other hand, people that fall under the Theory Y assumption are able to be self directed and controlled. Man will direct their-self if he or she is committed to their job. People under this theory accept responsibility. Directions are not needed as much as with people in Theory X. Theory Y is more of a dignified management style. “Theory Y managers tend to be participative when making decisions, and value both results and relationships. These managers tend to delegate and empower their people because they trust them and feel they will do good work (i.e., managers are “coaches”)” (Friesen …show more content…
I will recall when I was working for a manager. How did I fell when I was constantly watched over? I will also recall wanting that extra responsibility and wondering why the managers did or did not allow it. When I look at my employees I will ask myself these questions and hopefully be able to answer the questions. Paying attention to how my employees react when given extra responsibility or when given the freedom to complete a task without being closely watched over. Depending on how they respond will let me know if I should be more of a type X or Y manager when referring to McGregor’s theory. “Many managers tend towards Theory X, and generally get poor results—especially over the longer term. Enlightened managers mostly use Theory Y, which produces better performance and results, and allows people to grow and develop.” (Friesen, W.) Over all I believe you need to use both theory’s when managing employees. Some will assume responsibility while others wait to be given orders. If managers can find a way to balance the two theories’ there is no dough that a company would not be able succeed and become something even

Related Documents

  • Improved Essays

    Essena O’Neill is nineteen years old. People already call her crazy and insane because of decisions that she made. O’Neill joined Instagram a few years back, similar to most teenage girls. She posted photos of herself to the site. She wanted to show off how she was so skinny, how she was so pretty, how she was so “perfect”.…

    • 1576 Words
    • 7 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Great Essays

    Theory Y Theory

    • 1133 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Louis “Lou” Maynard was appointed as a sergeant with the Craigview Police Department after six months on the job. Assigned to his shift was two officers who were within one year of their retirement. Previously on the shift, the co-workers worked well together performing their duties and day to day assignments, with the exception of the two soon to be retired officers. The once united team began to feel disconnected and broken. Maynard felt that any reports submitted by his co-workers were almost insufficient to where their work ethics became questionable, but not to the point that disciplinary action was required.…

    • 1133 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Great Essays
  • Improved Essays

    CNO Jones’ form of management is similar to that of Theory X. Established by McGregor in 1960, theory X is an authoritarian leadership style that focuses on top down management. Kopelman, Prottas, and Davis (2008) note employees under theory X management are considered “lazy, are incapable of self-direction and autonomous work behavior, and have little to offer in terms of organizational problem solving” (p. 255). Prompting managers to micro-manage and make all decisions independently, no matter how it may affect the staff. This same behavior is seen in this case study. Although CNO Jones was fully aware of the hospitals declining financial status she did not take the time to inform her lower level staff.…

    • 770 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    To do this, they have to break many of the conventionally accepted rules. Their creed is: “People don’t change that much. Don’t waste time trying to put in what was left out, try to draw out what was left in, that’s hard enough.” Great managers play a catalyst role in linking individual talent to performance. They have four key focuses.…

    • 2973 Words
    • 12 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Managers must always have a directive and controlling approach. Lastly a manager should always have a strategy and break it down to be followed by their team. (PHD in MANAGEMENT,…

    • 823 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Many researches have studied the different personality traits of individuals, that offered a broad explanation about their effect on human behavior (Messarra, 2011). Core self-evaluation, this concept says that the individual has a view of himself, there are two things in the core self-evaluation of positive and negative. It is positive that individuals like themselves, think of themselves as effective, capable and controlling their environment. People who think positively about themselves and feel confident about their abilities are people who have high core self-evaluation. While people have negative-thinking and feel about powerless themselves over their environment.…

    • 639 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Great Essays

    Theory Analysis Paper Theoretical Assumptions and Background In the social work practice, professionals often use different theories when working with clients. These theories help social workers understand why their clients are behaving a certain way and how they ended up in the situation that they are in. Theories can also help the social worker decide the most efficient intervention options for those that are seeking help.…

    • 1191 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Great Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Military Leadership Style

    • 1444 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Management and leadership have the have the time to really sit down with their team and understand what they are in need of, in a larger organization this is much more difficult to do. Another leadership style is the visionary. This style is used for the organization that is more focused on the future or when the company needs to move in a new direction. This leader will give an already established company a facelift and for a new company it helps the business to understand what direction the company wants to move in, and how they will grow.…

    • 1444 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Leadership Styles Paper

    • 630 Words
    • 3 Pages

    I believe it’s easier to work with people you have good relationships with. Great leaders are Inspirational and visionary. Leadership styles vary greatly, however, from person to person. The most suitable leadership style depends on the function of the leader, subordinates and the situation. It is sometimes nerve racking being presented to a group that you are new to.…

    • 630 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Management is something that all businesses need to have. According to the dictionary, it means "the organization and coordination of the activities of a business ignorer to achieve defined objectives; the act or manner of managing; handling, direction, or control; skill in managing, executive ability; the person controlling and directing the affairs of a business, institution; audacious use of means to accomplish an end; collective body of those who manage or direct an enterprise; the directors and managers who have the power and responsibility to make decisions and oversee an enterprise" (n.d.). With all that said, One Smooth Stone is something that does management well. They are a company with two goals: to be effective and efficient when…

    • 752 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    I now realize how important it is to manage people on an individual basis and not as whole because different individuals need different levels of motivation and supervision. In my opinion, relying more heavily on one theory and not the other has the potential to breed poor management because of this knowledge my new goal is to find the perfect balance between the two…

    • 822 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    (Graen, & Uhl-Bien, 1995, p. 223). My preferred leadership style and the style shown by the results of my questionnaire show the relationship between the leader and follower; the task at hand, and the subordinate’s characteristics, is critical in being an effective…

    • 1070 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    * A correct and appropriate description is given of two or more issue that will influence the choice of leadership styles or behaviours in workplace situations although the description may be limited and the links to workplace situations may be more understood than clear (criteria for a pass on this question) 2.1 Assess own leadership behaviours and potential in the situation of a particular leadership model and own organisation’s working practice and culture using feedback from others (State your findings below) (28 marks) As a leader you think of someone who possesses a number of qualities, enthusiasm, good judgment, intelligent, a people person and a great speaker. Over the past few years working as a Team Leader and HR, I…

    • 871 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    This paper will start with giving a brief understanding of leader rewards and punishment behavior, also giving an explanation of how these can be used to help lead an organization. Moreover, it will give a review of the three most interesting topics of our reading this week and why I found them to be interesting, where I have seen these three used in the past, and conclude with how I might use them in the future. The three topics that I choose from the reading material are the three most notable models of human motivation: Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, McGregor’s X-Y theory, and Herzberg’s hygiene and motivation factors. Leader reward and punishment behavior were introduced in the 1970s and are critical to leaders as they are determinants…

    • 830 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    As a management major and someone who is passionate about becoming an effective manager, it was first necessary to compile a list of principles I wish to carry with me. The matrix I have created for myself comes from two places, first my management courses and second my actual experience under several different managers. Through my coursework at A&M I have learned what motivates others and where I fall in those categories, and how to make the two coincide better. In my work experience I have been under very successful and very unsuccessful managers, who have both provided me with insight on what to do and what not to do. The personal philosophy I have created is a combination of the items that have stuck out at me in classes, as well as what…

    • 1345 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Superior Essays