Theory Y- The Theory of YES to Success
For many years Theory Y has been seen as the primary success motivational style. As stated in a previous post, Douglas McGregor set up motivational theory styles according to Abraham Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs.
McGregor’s main assumptions under Theory Y are:
- Work can be as natural as play if the conditions are favorable
- People will be self-directed and creative in meeting their work and organizational objectives if they are personally committed to them
- People will be committed to their quality and productivity objectives if rewards are in place that address higher needs such as self-fulfillment
- The capacity for creativity spreads throughout organizations as a contagion
- Most people can handle responsibility well
- Under proper work conditions, people will seek responsibility
Theory Y leaders and work cultures typically enjoy the rewards of financial success. Ways to move toward a participatory success culture can be accomplished by the following:
- Move away from command and control
- Decentralize control
- Flatten organizations
- Delegate decision-making and creativity
- Broaden job responsibilities
- Participatory management style
- Meaningful performance management systems
- Open and honest communication
- Integrity in all business operations
You can make the choice to “catch employees doing things right.”
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Judy W Bell
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Tags: Abraham Maslows Hierarchy of Needs, Douglas McGregor, Judy W Bell, Motivational Styles, Motivational Theory, participatory management, people work theory, Performance Management Systems, Theory of YES, Theory Y, work culture