McGregor's X & Y theory

Abstract

Douglas McGregor was a professor at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and developed in the 1960’s the two motivation theories X & Y, alongside the work of the American Psychologist Abraham Maslow. The theories described the two different manager styles and how they motivate their team members.

The theory X is based on the opinion that the employer does not want to work and must be externally motivated. The manager usually has an authoritarian style and a top- down approach, where they are micromanaging people's work and motivating with rewards such as money or penalties. This type of managing is often seen in process-driven workplaces.

The alternative approach is theory Y which are more recognizable in todays manager style. Here the manager believes the employer to be motivated internally by work satisfaction and are encourage without direct supervision. The workers are individualized and going toward a higher level of self-actualization, which also is referred in the Maslow hierarchy of needs.[1]

Based on these two theories, the assumption about the team members or workers, can therefore have an influence of how they are managed. Even though it is easy to think theory Y is more favored, there are pros and cons with both theories. People are unique and therefor need different motivation.

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