10 Reasons Why Theory Y is a Lie

For sure you've heard about the Theory X and Y management styles. There's even theory Z, but then I don't think it fits the continuum of the first 2 theories to be relevant.


Let's see theory X. Managers who are the proponents of Theory X will ALWAYS assume their workers are lazy and are reluctant towards working. Thus managers need to continuously enforce, monitor and crack their whip on these workers.

Theory Y managers are the complete opposite. They will always assume the best out of their employees, seeing these people as independent, reliable and self-driven employees. Encouragement and motivation is the way to go.

Well, I have my own theory. It sounds like this:

There is no such thing as Theory Y.

Why? Because a theory is just a speculation, it only exists so that a more astute observation can qualify or nullify its validity. Oh crap. I don't think you're following me. Let me rephrase.

If something is consistently proven wrong, we shall no longer call it a theory.

You should agree with my view that theory X is the only acceptable theory. After all, you can't assume the best out of yourselves when there's things like these:

1. You complain about not having any internet connection in office. But when you do get one, 9 out of 10 tabs will consist of entertainment sites.
   


2. Your routine morning e-mail activity is mostly spent on reading and forwarding funny chain mails. And the occasional "forward this to get $1 billion in your account" emails.
   


3. If you come in late, you will never tell your boss if he didn't realize it.
   


4. You're only eager to go to work if your boss is out of town for conferences or holidays.
   


5. You felt joy when you're assigned to go out of the office, which you will always drop by someplace not related to your work.
   


6. You always wish you have the best desk- the one located near the walls so nobody can see your PC screen. If your cubicle have glasses, you'll paste every schedules available on it so that your sleep will be unnoticed.
   


7. You would always ask how much is the salary FIRST if there's a job offer or promotion.
   


8. When calculating allowance claims, you will always overestimate. When filing your tax return, you will always underestimate.
   


9. The only reason you keep track of your projects and deadlines is to identify the time when you can sit back and relax.
   


10. You never talk about work in the cafeteria. You will always whine about them.
    

So let's admit that there's no such thing as a motivated, self-driven, ambitious and trustworthy employees. At the end of the day, all you ever care for is bringing the most money home - by doing the least work possible.

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