Leading People: Motivating People: Theory X vs. Theory Y

Management style should depend on the kind of employees you have. It should vary from person-to-person depending on how they perceive work.

Social psychologist Douglas McGregor of MIT published a book outlining his research of two contrasting management styles – Theory X and Theory Y. He argued that Theory X, based on hierarchy and power, was an outdated authoritarian ‚Äútop-down” way of managing people. Theory Y, he proposed, was an improved, alternative method of management, one that was more participative and synergistic.