This is the third in a four part series examining the relationship between management theories and personal productivity. Douglas McGregor lived from 1906 to 1964 and was a professor at MIT.  Four years before his death, he published his theory on management, which is known as theory X and theory Y. Theory X is that employees are lazy and don't want to work.  Under this theory, managers must create very structured environments in order for work to get done.  They don't trust the employees and often see themselves in competition with them.  This leads to managers who run their business as a dictatorship. Theory Y is a different way for managers to look at their employees.  It … [Read more...]

This is the introduction to a four-part series that will explore three management theories and how they relate to personal productivity.  This may seem odd, but if management is the art of accomplishing work through other people, then personal productivity can be seen as being effective at managing yourself.  By examining the methods of motivating others, we can become more skilled in motivating ourselves. Here are the three theorists we are going to look at: Abraham Maslow - Hierarchy of Human Needs Douglas McGregor - Theory X and Theory Y William Ouchi - Theory Z (Cultural Management) Most people will be familiar with Maslow's theories.  McGregor is less well known. Most … [Read more...]