Theory Y managers prefer
a. motivating employees through fear
b. exerting a strong degree of control over employees
c. closely supervising their employees
d. letting employees set their own objectives
The correct answer and explanation is :
Correct Answer: d. letting employees set their own objectives
Explanation:
Theory Y is one of the two management theories developed by Douglas McGregor in his book “The Human Side of Enterprise” (1960). The two theories—Theory X and Theory Y—describe contrasting views of workforce motivation and behavior that significantly influence leadership styles and organizational practices.
Theory Y presents a positive view of human nature and employee motivation. According to this theory, managers believe that:
- Employees are inherently motivated to work.
- They enjoy taking on responsibility.
- They can be creative and self-directed.
- They are capable of self-control and self-discipline when committed to organizational goals.
Because of these beliefs, Theory Y managers prefer to empower their employees rather than micromanage them. They encourage participation in decision-making, provide opportunities for growth, and often allow workers to set their own goals and objectives. This management style fosters a supportive environment where employees feel valued and trusted. As a result, productivity, job satisfaction, and innovation often increase.
In contrast, Theory X reflects a more authoritarian and pessimistic view, where managers believe employees are lazy, dislike work, and must be coerced, controlled, or threatened with punishment to achieve goals. That model aligns with options:
- (a) motivating through fear,
- (b) exerting strong control, and
- (c) close supervision.
These behaviors are characteristics of Theory X, not Theory Y.
Therefore, the correct answer is (d) letting employees set their own objectives, because it captures the essence of Theory Y—trust in employee autonomy and self-motivation, which is key to modern, participative, and transformational leadership styles.