Level Up Your Leadership – Certified Agile Mastery Practice 2025!

The choice that reflects an optimistic view of human behavior is Theory Y. This model posits that individuals are inherently self-motivated, responsible, and capable of thriving in work environments that foster engagement and autonomy. According to Theory Y, people prefer to work collaboratively and are often motivated by intrinsic factors such as personal growth, satisfaction, and achievement, rather than solely through external rewards or control.

In a Theory Y environment, leaders are encouraged to create conditions that promote trust, empower teams, and support employees in taking initiative. This aligns with Agile principles, which emphasize collaboration, adaptability, and a focus on empowering team members to drive their work and deliver value.

On the other hand, Theory X, contrastingly, offers a more pessimistic view of human behavior, suggesting that people are inherently lazy and require strict supervision and control to be productive. Great Man Theory focuses on the idea that leaders are born and possess specific traits that make them effective, but it does not inherently address the optimism regarding general human behavior. Lastly, Situational Leadership is a model that adapts based on the team or individual’s maturity level and does not inherently suggest an overall positive or negative view of human behavior, as it can be applied to various contexts.