What are Theory X and Theory Y?

The theories X and Y are fundamentally related to human behavior, this is based on the principle of its author the economist and professor Douglas mcgregor, who, in 1960, presented in the United States a book called The human side of organizations.

In it he refers to his theories X and theory Y in the organizational behavior, primarily related to human performance in the environment of business sectors.

Through this text there was a change in the treatment of employees, management was modified in personnel management, began a new trend of appreciation and recognition of the employee.

Mcgregor He calls Theory X in which he observes two behaviors in corporate managers, an authoritarian and a participatory attitude. According to him, the man must have a leader who directs the work and is a figure of respect so that he fulfills the established objectives since he prefers to receive orders.

Theory Y questions how the administrative leader feels about his performance and human relationship, regarding his interaction with the group he leads.

Advantages and disadvantages of Theory X and Theory Y

Among the main advantages of Theory X and Theory Y, you can find:

• Provide motivation for the achievement of objectives, integration is facilitated both individually and business.
• The authority model towards other people helps in the transformation and evolution related to productivity, profit and satisfaction for the company and employees.

In the most significant disadvantages of the Theory X and Theory Y they find each other:

• That these theories are flawed from the perspective of
• They cannot be used individually because they are neither effective nor functional since each theory works with people who have their own extreme capacity.

Characteristics of Theories X and Theory Y

Theory X shows a remote thinking model, the work is seen as a corrective and for the company a problem that hinders productivity, the main characteristics are:

• The company's resources are directed by the administration, who will be solely responsible for obtaining its main goal, which is economic achievement.
• Employees choose to be submissive so as not to take responsibility. They do not have aspirations, they prefer to be directed and obtain security in the work environment.
• The organization adopts rigid and severe measures such as sanctions or threats to achieve the objectives.

In Theory Y, administrators consider that their employees see work as a motivation and that they feel they are an important part of the company, its most relevant characteristics are:

• He is responsible, he stands out in his work performance to distinguish himself from the rest of his colleagues.
• The commitment and achievement of reaching the established goals equates to the reward for recognition to the work developed, this will cause the motivation to obtain more achievements and perform quality work.
• Companies are favored when they stimulate the skills of the employee to express his ideas freely.

Leadership in Theory X and Theory Y

In the Theory X and Y from Mcgregor, the procedures present in the leadership they abide by the insight that managers have about their workers.

This Theory perceives the leadership in autocratic or X and participatory or Y, despite not being a perfect model, one and the other perform different obligations and can generate benefits, although it has unquestionable consequences on the freedom of workers and the effectiveness of service.

The autocratic style or X

It is distinguished by using its authority with security and attitude in the command and delivery of orders, with integrity in an appropriate manner according to its condition and knowledge.

Autocratic leaders are effective in command and skilled at tasks that require quick decisions. Clearly convey instructions to employees, sometimes the company does not use its full potential.

In the important aspects of these leaders are:

• It continually requires efficiency.
• Supervise in detail constantly.
• Press to comply with the times.
• Locate the task.
• He is interested in self-promotion.
• Decide quickly.

The participatory style or Y

It is based on communicating decisions and giving employees freedom to take ownership, observe needs, be creative and functional, it is a slow process for appointments.

Information allows increased productivity in work groups, this provides recognition and individual satisfaction.

In the particularities shown in this type of leadership is it so:

• It has a democratic style.
• Makes a general supervision.
• Decide slowly.
• Guides the worker.
• It can be very permissive.
• You don't give many details and trust what you have commissioned.
• He is attentive to individual needs.
• They are introverts.

Theory X and Theory Y of motivation

Each leadership It is different and they are all useful for the different professional areas, you just have to choose the most convenient one to meet your objectives.

If you have to decide quickly, you choose a leader with characteristics of Theory X, if you have to work with people who require motivation individual and who choose to be directed to evade responsibility, a Theory Y leader will be chosen.

The motivation Seen from Theory Y reflects the work itself as a principle of satisfaction and that workers are part of the solution resource to the problems of the company, which is an unrealistic vision professionally, it is important to highlight Theory X and Y as options that are complement.

It should be noted that Theories X and Y Douglas Mcgregor He proposed two different views of people, one negative properly called Theory X and the other essentially positive called Theory Y.

Mcgregor, proposed ideas such as planning responsible jobs that pose challenges and good group relationships, aimed at maximizing the motivation of an employee in his work.