The Practical Leader

SEPTEMBER 2, 2020

In the early 1900s, Frederick Taylor, used “Scientific Management” principles to make the new production lines more efficient. Workers became cogs in the machine; shut off their minds, shut their mouths, and did what engineers and managers told them to do. They had a massive turnover problem.

McGregor 101

McGregor Scientific Management Taylorism Taylor 101

Harvard Business Review

OCTOBER 23, 2012

In 1960, 11 years after he founded the company that became Circuit City, my father Sam Wurtzel was reading a book he couldn't put down: The Human Side of Enterprise , by MIT professor Douglas McGregor. The next morning, he called McGregor's office and asked for a meeting with him. It was also central to how Sam built Circuit City.

McGregor 8

McGregor Human Resources Retail Taylorism 8

Harvard Business Review

MARCH 13, 2012

Yet two recent and excellent books ( Inside Apple , by Adam Lashinsky and Steve Jobs by Walter Issacson) describe a management style that was disturbingly harsh. Before answering that question, it is useful to elaborate the two management styles. What are the common success characteristics shared by these two?

McGregor 14

McGregor Micromanagement Leadership Performance Review 14