Week 12 Essay Theory X and Theory Y

Week 12 Essay Formal Leadership Theory

Theory X and Theory Y

    First of all theory X says that managers or leaders must assume that employees are inherently lazy and will avoid work at every opportunity. Theory Y says that employees may be ambitious, self-motivated, and exercise self control.

    I have seen an example of theory Y leadership in a Church that I once attended. It is Athens Wesleyan Church, the Church I went to growing up. The pastor of the Church would allow people to be involved with ministry and allow them to take risks and go out on a limb. Theory X leaders do not allow this because of the close supervision they believe that people need. Theory X leaders try to do everything on their own or have their hand in everything so they can "make sure it goes right."

    This was not the case at Athens Wesleyan. The pastor would allow people to be involved with the various ministries in different ways without babysitting them. At Athens Wesleyan there were many people that were involved in the ministry of the Church and encouraged to be involved in the ministry of the Church because the pastor thought that the people would want the ministry of the Church to be successful, not for fear of retribution if they fail, but because they could grasp the ministry of the Church and take leadership and ownership in it.

    At Athens Wesleyan the pastor would also listen to the ideas and suggestions of others. He did not always think that he is right, and was willing to listen. This is not the case with theory X leaders. The pastor of Athens Wesleyan Church was a theory Y leader and would encourage and develop the ministry of the Church with the help of volunteers that he was willing to let take a chance and take ownership in the ministries they were involved in.