Back to Gaffer's Archives.
Dr. Moe Tovation:
While doing research a few days ago I ran across some old concepts.
Remember theory X and Theory Y? These were notions about human
behavior which were put forth years ago by a guy named Douglas
McGregor. His book "The Human Side of Enterprise" expounding
on these ideas, was published in 1960. In essence they are two
different theories of management.
Theory X is the classic management style which is still practiced in most human enterprises. In this model, the worker is seen as indolent and loath to work. He resists thinking and prefers to be told what to do. The manager must then direct, watch, and control the worker. To achieve production goals, coercion of the worker and tight control is necessary.
Theory Y is an enlightened management style which is rarely tried, let alone practiced. In this model, people are believed to enjoy work. The workers will think about their jobs and fulfill their responsibilities in creative ways. They will accept responsibility for self management. In this model, the manager involves the workers in setting goals and supports creative worker solutions. The worker is expected to be self motivating. Tight control is seen to be counterproductive.
In my experience in the workplace, I have never seen Theory Y in practice. The only place which came close was in one of my first jobs. I worked in a gas station where the owner seemed more like a friend than an employer. Neither of us knew anything about management. He just paid me to help him take care of the customers. I had to be a self starter because he was too busy to manage me. Everyplace else that I worked was operating under some form of Theory X management.
When I thought about this, it seemed rather bizarre. Understand that, for most of my working life, I worked in scientific research environments. These places were seen by everyone as places of enlightenment. Yet, every one of them had the heaviest of heavy handed management.
I did not understand, so I decided to ask my old friend, Doctor Moe Tovation, about it. Moe is something of a behavioral expert. He claims to have some kind of degree in industrial management. He does consulting work with some very large firms. I found him at one of our favorite spots, The Shady Side Lounge. He was in his regular booth. I picked up a couple of tall Bass Ale drafts before I interrupted his reverie.
He saw me coming and smiled.
"Hey, Willie," he said. "Have a seat."
He is always happy to see a tall one in front of him.
"Hi, Doctor Tovation," I said as I slid his glass across
the table.
"Come on, Willie, call me Moe," he said. "What's
up?"
"I got a puzzle about management Moe."
"Tell me abut it," he grinned.
"Well, I just reread some of McGregor's work on management,
"The Human Side of Enterprise"
"Sure, X and Y. What about it, Willie?"
"Well, it don't make sense," I said.
"What about it don't make sense?"
"Well," I said, "every place I ever been does theory
X and it seems to work. X makes sense. So what is Y about?"
"Y makes sense too, Willie."
"But, they're mutually exclusive, Moe. How can they both
make sense?"
"Theory X and Theory Y ain't mutually exclusive, Willie."
I must have looked as confused as I felt because he started laughing.
"They ain't, I mean aren't?" I blurted.
"They are the same, Willie."
I was even more confused.
"What the heck do you mean, Moe?"
"Think about it, Willie. X and Y are just common sense. They
are two expressions of the same principle."
"Huh?" I said brightly. "What principle?"
"Just that most people will behave the way they are expected
to behave."
"Well, sure," I agreed.
"So?"
"So if I expect people to behave badly, they will,"
I said.
"And?"
"If expect them to act responsibly, presto!"
"You got it," said Moe. "Do you suppose they have
any more tall ones at the bar?"
I made a quick trip.
When I got back, Moe continued. "Crap, Willie. This is stuff
you know and act on every day. It's basic."
"I know. It's what I learned in Sunday School."
"You know the best part, Willie?"
"What?"
"These big firms, pay me money to tell them stuff that they
learned in Sunday School."
"You tell them?"
"Sure!"
"But they don'‘t do it."
"Yeah. Ain't that a shame?"
"Ain't that a shame?" I agreed.
Back to Gaffer's Archives.
|
|
|
|