Theory X and Theory Y Orientation
Instructions: Indicate your agreement or disagreement with each of the following statements by placing the correct number next to the statement. This is NOT a test–there are no right or wrong answers.
Scale: Strongly Agree=5; Agree=4; Undecided=3; Disagree=2; Strongly Disagree=1
____ 1. Most people prefer to be directed and want to avoid responsibility.
____ 2. Most people can learn leadership skills regardless of their particular inborn traits and abilities.
____ 3. The best way to encourage high performance is by using rewards and punishment.
____ 4. A leader will lose influence over subordinates if s/he allows them to make decisions without direction and strict rules.
____ 5. A good leader gives detailed and complete instructions to subordinates rather than depending on their initiative to
figure out the details.
____ 6. Individuals tend to set higher goals than groups or teams of individuals.
____ 7. A leader should give subordinates only enough information necessary for them to do their immediate jobs.
____ 8. People are bright but under most organizational conditions their potentials are under utilitized.
____ 9. Most people dislike work and, whenever possible, will avoid it.
____ 10. Leaders have to control, direct, and threaten employees to get them to work toward organizational goals.
____ 11. Most people will exercise self-direction and self-control if they are committed to the objectives/goals.
____ 12. People do not automatically dislike work; it is a natural part of their lives.
____ 13. Most people are internally motivated to reach objectives to which they are committed.
____ 14. People are capable of innovation in solving organizational problems.
____ 15. Most people place job security above all other work factors and will display very little ambition.
Scoring Key: Reverse score items 2, 8, 11, 12, 13, and 14 ( 1=5, 2=4, 3=3, 4=2, 5=1). Then add up your scores for all 15 items. A score of more than 55 indicates a tendency to manage others according to the principles of (Douglas McGregor’s) Theory X. A score of less than 35 indicates a tendency to manage others with a more (Douglas McGregor’s) Theory Y orientation. A score between 35 and 55 means your set of assumptions about people is in the middle of the Theory Y_______/_______ Theory X continuum
