subject: Signs You Are Going Nowhere In Your Current Career - What We Can Learn From Theory X And Theory Y [print this page] We awake on Monday morning, and get ready for a new workweek. Its the first day of the long week, and Friday seems more than a continent away. We are a little scared about getting to the office today; after all, we procrastinated on important work the week before, and we are certain our boss will ask for a status update.
So, we spend most of the morning thinking of a good excuse to share with the boss. Someone failed to share important information that we needed for the report. Better not use that one. It might get an innocent person in trouble.
How about blaming technology? The shared drive was unavailable most of the week. Nope! The boss probably went to the shared to access other information. Shell know we are being less-than-truthful.
Were worried! Its not manic Monday! Its panic Monday! What difference does it make? We dont like working here anyway! Getting fired might be a blessing in disguise.
Well, its time to get out of bed. Perhaps a good, hot shower will help us relax a bit, and the soothing water hitting our head might help us think of a good excuse to use with our boss.
Theory X and Y
In the 1960s, Douglas McGregor, of the MIT Sloan School of Management, described contrasting models of motivation, which he called Theory X and Theory Y. In basic terms, Theory X argues that people are inherently lazy. We dont like work. We show up mostly because we get paid for being there. We dont want to think. We want to be told what to do.
Theory Y is different. If you are Y, you are ambitious and motivated. You love challenges. Your boss will give you assignments because she knows they will get done right and on time. Theory Y people encourage others to succeed, promoting a healthy work environment.
If you feel like Theory X, youve hit a dead end. You dont like the work that you do, and your employer has figured out that you are in coast mode. You are no longer looking for challenges, and spend most of your time clock-watching. When you arent looking at the hands on the clock, you are on Facebook or texting.
Everything Seems to Tick You Off!
When things are going well, very little seems to bother you. In fact, you take the high-road, and ignore those who try to get under your skin. When you are happy at work, you seek challenges, and you find the good in what people do. You look for training opportunities, and even seek to mentor new employees. In short, you practice Theory Y.
However, for those people in a rut, our boss, co-workers, security guard, cleaning person, and everything else, irritates us. We are not happy with anyone, including ourselves. We think that someone has an agenda if they happen to compliment the work that we do. We are motivated by only two things: Friday and payday. If they happen on the same day, even better!
Pursue Theory Y Opportunities
The passing of time is inevitable. When you find yourself in a situation where your career has hit a brick wall, and you are no longer happy, make a change. The change doesnt necessarily mean finding a new position. In most cases, we have to change our mindset. We must self-evaluate to determine what we are doing to cause how we feel about our career.
Avoid taking too long performing this exercise. You dont have much time to waste. An early and important step is to stop blaming others. The reason you are where you are today is largely based on the decisions you have made. To get back on the right track, decide you no longer will tolerate a Theory X mentality that allows others to dictate your career success.
