McGregor's Theory Y Management

Chapter 3: Three Early Perspectives on Organizations and Communication

In attempting to define a new theory in contrast to "Theory X" or what he referred to as the "control-oriented, bureaucratic style of management" Douglass McGregor created Theory Y. Theory Y suggests that several things of note, especially that the expenditure of effort is just as natural in work as it is play and that "the average human being learns, under proper conditions, not only to accept but [also] to seek responsibility." In direct contrast with Theory X or the theory of classical management, McGregor sets his theory on the principle that people will actually seek responsibility when they are included in the decision making process and feel that their jobs are meaningful. Imagination is the key to inspiration and in this case, the key to keeping one's employees happy and hard working. What actually stands about McGregor's work is that he opens the door to the employee having a high degree of autonomy compared to other management theories. The independent, autonomous, thinking employee according to McGregor is the most inspired one. In my own experience I have found Theory Y to be basically true. Reasonably rational and intelligent employees should be rewarded with relative autonomy. This signifies a degree of respect between employer and employee and lets staff know that responsibility and autonomy is rewarded based upon merit.