Theory X, Theory Y and Feeling Oustanding (Part I)

The worried manager. I wonder how he feels about his staff?

Arguably, the most influential book on management theory was the classic writing 'The Human Side of Enterprise' by America social psychologist Douglas McGregor. In this classic book he introduced his radical Theory X and Theory Y philosophy. This concept has been taught to one degree or another in colleges and universities throughout the United States since. And to some extent it still receives attention today.

McGregor's thought was that management viewed employees as either a Theory X type or a Theory Y type of individual. Hence the terms, Theory X and Theory Y managers. In Summary a Theory X manager views employees as follows:

• The average person dislikes work and will avoid it if he/she can.
  
• Therefore most people must be forced to work toward organizational objectives with the threat of punishment.
  
• The average person prefers to be directed and to avoid responsibility. He/she is relatively un-ambitious and wants security above all else.

In my next blog we will take a look at the opposite side of the spectrum. What McGregor calls a Theory Y manager. Then we will make a comparison in real life and see how on earth this relates to our health.

Have a blessed evening, a good night's sleep and a great day tomorrow. Let's keep our thoughts on the higher plane and reap the benefits that are ours if we do so.

Tom Thorne
http://www.feelingoutstanding.com/