McGregor - X & Y theory Flashcards
McGregor Theory X & Y
Leadership is about the beliefs and assumptions the leader makes about human motivation
X managers
Will structure, control and closely supervise the team
Believe it’s necessary as people are unreliable
Carrot and stick approach
Focused on achieving the task, not the person doing it
Believes people avoid responsibility
Believe people are inheritantly lazy
Y managers
Believe work is enjoyable & necessary for psychological growth
Staff get satisfaction from completion of tasks because it fulfils their need for self-esteem and self actualisation
People have great potential and only fail if they have not been encouraged or allowed by management.
People not only accept, but seek responsibility
Theory X
Work is distasteful and people dislike it and avoid if possible
Most people are not ambitious, don’t desire responsibility and prefer direction
People have little creative capacity for solving problems
Motived by anxiety and their security
People need to be controlled and coerced to achieve goals
Theory Y
Work is as natural as play
Self control is often indispensable in achieving goals
Most people have the creativity to solve issues
Staff get satisfaction completing tasks - fulfils the need for self-esteem and self actualisation
People can be self directed and creative if properly motivated
