Comments on: The Theory of X and Y (and Z) http://www.responsive.se/thomas/2008/08/04/the-theory-of-x-and-y-and-z/ Thomas on Responsive Development of Systems and Software Sun, 16 May 2010 13:37:36 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Thomas http://www.responsive.se/thomas/2008/08/04/the-theory-of-x-and-y-and-z/comment-page-1/#comment-5532 Thomas Thu, 23 Oct 2008 07:09:51 +0000 http://www.responsive.se/thomas/2008/08/04/the-theory-of-x-and-y-and-z/#comment-5532 Very good questions, Jelena! I truely believe in your idea of "managing upwards", but it has to be done with care. I have been involved in cases where this has happened, but I think the key is to, for a period, accept the non-Y environment and interface to it. Using an iterative approach of inspect and adapt you can gradually convince the environment about one issue or opportunity at the time, act on that and get a little bit further towards Y. What definnitely does not work with X-believers is to try to convince them that they are wrong. That will be pointless and just generate heat and frustration. The trick is then to spot who is a true X-beliver (or rather Y-non-believer) and who is not. Very good questions, Jelena! I truely believe in your idea of “managing upwards”, but it has to be done with care. I have been involved in cases where this has happened, but I think the key is to, for a period, accept the non-Y environment and interface to it. Using an iterative approach of inspect and adapt you can gradually convince the environment about one issue or opportunity at the time, act on that and get a little bit further towards Y.
What definnitely does not work with X-believers is to try to convince them that they are wrong. That will be pointless and just generate heat and frustration.
The trick is then to spot who is a true X-beliver (or rather Y-non-believer) and who is not.

]]> By: Jelena http://www.responsive.se/thomas/2008/08/04/the-theory-of-x-and-y-and-z/comment-page-1/#comment-5531 Jelena Wed, 22 Oct 2008 01:18:32 +0000 http://www.responsive.se/thomas/2008/08/04/the-theory-of-x-and-y-and-z/#comment-5531 People act differently under different circumstances. If one goes after X and Y theories, the key would be to create an environment that would allow and motivate people to act as type Y (since that is, of course, the more desirable case). My personal experience is that there is a global shift to management approaches that are leaning towards Y, but I am sad to still see managers that are apparent X theory practitioners. The problem is what to do if you work in a team managed by someone who genuinely believes in X theory and behaves accordingly. Those types are usually not interested in human dimensions of work. To which extent is it possible to "manage upwards"? People act differently under different circumstances. If one goes after X and Y theories, the key would be to create an environment that would allow and motivate people to act as type Y (since that is, of course, the more desirable case).

My personal experience is that there is a global shift to management approaches that are leaning towards Y, but I am sad to still see managers that are apparent X theory practitioners.

The problem is what to do if you work in a team managed by someone who genuinely believes in X theory and behaves accordingly. Those types are usually not interested in human dimensions of work. To which extent is it possible to “manage upwards”?

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