And I agree entirely with you that it reflects a decidedly unproductive – if not dangerous – misapprehension of what actually animates people – all of us – in the workplace and society in general.

Thanks for stopping by with this, Ben!

But by nature people have all the characteristics of Theory Y, not X. Those who treat them as if they are X’s will not be able to learn the truth. Only those who treat them as if they are Y’s will see the truth.

Best regards, Ben

I certainly don’t approve of the sentiments in this premise, either. There are two things about it, though: One is that it seems the unavoidable set of assumptions on which modern models of individual leadership must be based – otherwise, they just don’t make sense, and are reduced to unanchored ramblings.

The other is that this sort of behavior can be observed in people in organizations – particularly in those that are either managed, or “led,” with a heavy hand, or are poorly or under-managed. People, especially employees or organization members – trapped in such situations often do hope to be, and appreciate being, “rescued” by a strong mind and voice, to the point where they will submit to this in a manner approaching abjectness.

This is the peculiar nature of the emotional bond I refer to, that is clearly sought by many despondent followers, seized upon by alert leaders, and exploited by those who promote the concept of individual leadership as we are discussing it here. It clearly does exist, and if you cast your attention just a little wider, it is not at all difficult to see it in operation right now, to a surprising and alarming degree, in the broader society.

But if a manager takes the approach you outline in your last paragraph, I agree, he or she is, thankfully, not likely to observe the problem, because the dynamics you suggest are only waiting to be released – even, often, by those who have happily languished in “followership.”

Thanks for stopping in with this!

What I experienced in 30+ years of managing people is that every person can be a leader. Though the vast majority are followers, most can be converted to being non-followers or leaders as you call them. In addition, the emotional bond does not exist because no one likes to take orders or be treated like a robot and everyone wants to do their own thing they way they want to do it.

Great business success can easily be achieved by releasing followers (~95%) from the bondage of following to the power of their own motivations, to being self-directed self-starters. Followers waste much of their brainpower following, while non-followers, being self-directed, expend all of their brainpower on their work, thus all their natural creativity, innovation, productivity, motivation and commitment. This monster store of untapped capability can make any company hugely successful.

Best regards, Ben