Raheel Malik
Douglas McGregor - theory x y
Douglas McGregor's XY Theory, managing
an X Theory boss, and William Ouchi's
Theory Z
Douglas McGregor, an American social psychologist, proposed his famous
X-Y theory in his 1960 book 'The Human Side Of Enterprise'. Theory x and
theory y are still referred to commonly in the field of management and
motivation, and whilst more recent studies have questioned the rigidity of
the model, Mcgregor's X-Y Theory remains a valid basic principle from
which to develop positive management style and techniques. McGregor's
XY Theory remains central to organizational development, and to
improving organizational culture.
McGregor's X-Y theory is a salutary and simple reminder of the natural
rules for managing people, which under the pressure of day-to-day
business are all too easily forgotten.
McGregor's ideas suggest that there are two fundamental approaches to
managing people. Many managers tend towards theory x, and generally
get poor results. Enlightened managers use theory y, which produces
better performance and results, and allows people to grow and develop.
McGregor's ideas significantly relate to modern understanding of the
Psychological Contract, which provides many ways to appreciate the
unhelpful nature of X-Theory leadership, and the useful constructive
beneficial nature of Y-Theory leadership.
theory x ('authoritarian management' style)
The average person dislikes work and
will avoid it he/she can.
Therefore most people must be forced
with the threat of punishment to work
towards organisational objectives.
The average person prefers to be
directed; to avoid responsibility; is
relatively unambitious, and wants
security above all else.
theory y ('participative management' style)
, Raheel Malik
Effort in work is as natural as work and
play.
People will apply self-control and self-
direction in the pursuit of organisational
objectives, without external control or
the threat of punishment.
Commitment to objectives is a function
of rewards associated with their
achievement.
People usually accept and often seek
responsibility.
The capacity to use a high degree of
imagination, ingenuity and creativity in
solving organisational problems is
widely, not narrowly, distributed in the
population.
In industry the intellectual potential of
the average person is only partly utilised.
tools for teaching, understanding and
evaluating xy theory factors
The XY Theory diagram and measurement tool below (pdf and doc
versions) are adaptations of McGregor's ideas for modern organizations,
management and work. They were not created by McGregor. I developed
them to help understanding and application of McGregor's XY Theory
concept. The test is a simple reflective tool, not a scientifically validated
instrument; it's a learning aid and broad indicator. Please use it as such.
free XY Theory diagram (pdf)
free XY Theory diagram (doc version)
free XY Theory test tool - personal and organizational - (pdf)
free XY Theory test tool - personal and organizational - (doc version)
same free XY Theory test tool - two-page version with clearer layout and
scoring - (pdf)
same free XY Theory test tool - two-page version with clearer layout and
scoring - (doc version)
characteristics of the x theory manager
Douglas McGregor - theory x y
Douglas McGregor's XY Theory, managing
an X Theory boss, and William Ouchi's
Theory Z
Douglas McGregor, an American social psychologist, proposed his famous
X-Y theory in his 1960 book 'The Human Side Of Enterprise'. Theory x and
theory y are still referred to commonly in the field of management and
motivation, and whilst more recent studies have questioned the rigidity of
the model, Mcgregor's X-Y Theory remains a valid basic principle from
which to develop positive management style and techniques. McGregor's
XY Theory remains central to organizational development, and to
improving organizational culture.
McGregor's X-Y theory is a salutary and simple reminder of the natural
rules for managing people, which under the pressure of day-to-day
business are all too easily forgotten.
McGregor's ideas suggest that there are two fundamental approaches to
managing people. Many managers tend towards theory x, and generally
get poor results. Enlightened managers use theory y, which produces
better performance and results, and allows people to grow and develop.
McGregor's ideas significantly relate to modern understanding of the
Psychological Contract, which provides many ways to appreciate the
unhelpful nature of X-Theory leadership, and the useful constructive
beneficial nature of Y-Theory leadership.
theory x ('authoritarian management' style)
The average person dislikes work and
will avoid it he/she can.
Therefore most people must be forced
with the threat of punishment to work
towards organisational objectives.
The average person prefers to be
directed; to avoid responsibility; is
relatively unambitious, and wants
security above all else.
theory y ('participative management' style)
, Raheel Malik
Effort in work is as natural as work and
play.
People will apply self-control and self-
direction in the pursuit of organisational
objectives, without external control or
the threat of punishment.
Commitment to objectives is a function
of rewards associated with their
achievement.
People usually accept and often seek
responsibility.
The capacity to use a high degree of
imagination, ingenuity and creativity in
solving organisational problems is
widely, not narrowly, distributed in the
population.
In industry the intellectual potential of
the average person is only partly utilised.
tools for teaching, understanding and
evaluating xy theory factors
The XY Theory diagram and measurement tool below (pdf and doc
versions) are adaptations of McGregor's ideas for modern organizations,
management and work. They were not created by McGregor. I developed
them to help understanding and application of McGregor's XY Theory
concept. The test is a simple reflective tool, not a scientifically validated
instrument; it's a learning aid and broad indicator. Please use it as such.
free XY Theory diagram (pdf)
free XY Theory diagram (doc version)
free XY Theory test tool - personal and organizational - (pdf)
free XY Theory test tool - personal and organizational - (doc version)
same free XY Theory test tool - two-page version with clearer layout and
scoring - (pdf)
same free XY Theory test tool - two-page version with clearer layout and
scoring - (doc version)
characteristics of the x theory manager
