Chris Argyris theory on management focuses on how to motivate employees to do their best work and achieve company goals. Unfortunately, some workplaces have very low expectations of employees. This results in low performance. Making the most of the management theory of Chris Argyris means learning how to improve performance by motivating employees.

The Chris Argyris motivational theory, as well as other management theories dealing with employee motivation, is important because motivation is key to performance. A highly motivated staff wants to do their best work. In this theory, there are two models of behavior, each with different:

1. Governing variables or rules,

2. Action strategies or plans,

3. And consequences or results for each Argyris theory.

In the first model described by the Argyris management theory, governing rules apply unilaterally, action plans emphasize management control over employees and the consequences include mistrust and defensiveness. That is why some companies may need to shift to a second model of management. In the second model, governing rules involve giving the necessary information to make informed choices, action plans to share control and the result is collaboration.

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Get to know the management theory of Chris Argyris

Business owners interested in pursuing Argyris's management theory should gather information from sources to get a basic overview of the theory. A quick overview can help you begin to implement the strategies as soon as possible, even if you don't know all the finite details.

I recommend: Action Science Network aims to help you put theory into action by giving you detailed descriptions of the two models and how they work. Accel-Team gives a great description of organizational management. The Economist discusses how employee empowerment helps organizations thrive.

Hire consultants to help you implement Argyris's management theory

While some companies may implement Argyris's management theory on their own, others might need help to incorporate changes. Get help designing and implementing a strategy to improve your company's performance from professionals who can evaluate your current system and implement Argyris's management theory.

I recommend: Aphelian Consulting uses the knowledge of management theory to help businesses be more effective. Cleveland Consulting Group offers leadership training focused on the impact of leaders on organizations.

Find more in-depth information about Argyris's management theory

For business owners who want to explore the in-depth details of the theory, it may be beneficial to learn more about the Chris Argyris theory by checking out his books and articles. Another way to find more information is to explore online resources dedicated to management theory.

I recommend: Infed.org has a very informative article about double-loop learning detailing the interaction between governing variables, action strategies and consequences. Action Design, a consulting firm, has resources including a bibliography of all the articles and books by Chris Argyris.

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• •  Before you understand why Argyris's theories work, it may help to understand where previous theories came from and why they failed.

Chris Argyris explored the concept of organizational learning and its impact on a company's growth, effectiveness and adaptability. Argyris's theories focused on single- and double-loop learning, the immaturity/maturity continuum, organizational communication and the effects of each of these on employee motivation, accountability and empowerment.

The management theory of Chris Argyris states that, in contrast to double-loop learning, which questions underlying assumptions, single-loop learning, which solves problems superficially and symptomatically, fails to address the real issues that make companies ineffective. Argyris theory also asserts that open communication within an organization, normally considered a good thing, can block learning and hinder progress if it's based on defensiveness, denial of real problems, inability to face tough issues and refusal to examine one's own attitudes and contributions to the problem.

As for the immaturity/maturity continuum, the Chris Argyris theory states that successful employee empowerment requires management to provide opportunities for personal growth in the same 7 areas in which children must mature as they approach adulthood. Along the immaturity/maturity continuum, employees must move from:

1. Passivity to activity;

2. Dependence to independence;

3. Few behaviors to many behaviors;

4. Shallow interests to deep interests;

5. Short-term perspective to long-term perspective;

6. Subordination to equality or superiority; and

7. Non self-awareness to self-awareness/self-control.

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Gain a thorough understanding of Argyris management theory

Before you can put Argyris's theory to work in your organization, you need to understand it and learn how it can work for you.

I recommend: ACCEL Team offers helpful explanations of Chris Argyris's human relations theory, views on employee management and his immaturity/maturity theory. Out of the Box Coaching also provides a description of the way Argyris management theory may be used in today's business environment to bring about transformational change in organizations.

Take advantage of consulting services that are based on Argyris's management theory

Numerous management consultants have studied the Chris Argyris theory, and you can use their expertise to guide you in implementing his valuable concepts to make your own company successful.

I recommend: Michael Sales, of New Context Consulting, has worked with Chris Argyris and, therefore, has the insider's knowledge that can guide you in implementing his management theories. Catalyst Consulting Team and The Systems Thinking Group also build on the work of Chris Argyris in their own consulting services.

Locate tools and resources that will help you make the most of Chris Argyris management theories

Many online resources are available to help reinforce your understanding and implementation of Argyris's management principles.

I recommend: Wiley Publishers features resources based on Chris Argyris management theory, and Roger Schwarz and Associates offer workshops, articles and other resources, along with a number of different services to better facilitate your incorporation of Argyris theory into your business environment. The AMA (American Management Association) also provides on-demand webcasts, podcasts, seminars and other tools on management and related topics to help you place Argyris's theories into context and make your business more successful.

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Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  You'll likely find the many facets of Argyris's theory fascinating, as you delve more deeply into them. Take advantage of as much of the information that's readily available online as you can. It will be well worth your while, as you learn to put his theories into practice to help your company grow and mature.

The management theory of Chris Argyris focuses on the interpersonal relationships that exists with organizational structures and includes the effects of personality and social interaction on the positive results of a business or work group.

A former professor at Harvard University, Argyris was able to teach his theories on motivation and double loop learning to a wide audience. Today, learning about Argyris' theories is a matter of knowing the best resources. When considering the management theory of Chris Argyris education and training possibilities:

1. Realize that the Chris Argyris' theory is a successful theory and a number of resources exist for training purposes

2. Know that management theories implemented in a business provide structure and goals for staff and employers

3. Understand the Chris Argyris theory is practical with real life applications

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Understand management theory to understand the work of Chris Argyris

Although people know Argyris for his long body of published works, key elements of his management theories have proved the most popular. The Chris Argyris motivational theory of rewarding good work and positive interactions and the double loop learning system, where personal maturity interacts with professional development, are common in the workplace, even if workers don't recognize the source. A basic understanding of Argyris theory will help every employer or employee build an educational foundation for improvement in the workplace.

I recommend: Strategy+Business Magazine offers Joel Kurtzman's one on one interview with Argyris, which puts his management theory in learnable layman's terms. Blacksacademy.net offers a full downloadable article on motivational theory with a full chapter on Chris Argyris, placing his theory work in the larger management context and providing information about Chris Argyris.

Learn about Argyris' management theory in educational literature

During his working life, Argyris wrote numerous books on management theory and the modern workplace. Those who follow him, consider these books to be textbooks. Although you don't have to read the entire body to understand the theory, perusal of a few key works will provide a solid education to any novice in the social science of management.

I recommend: The Action Science Network offers a list of all of Chris Argyris' published books and articles. The Leadership Development Resource Center provides links to a number of full text versions of Argyris' work, including both books and articles written in collaboration with other management gurus.

Use visual and practical applications of Argyris' theory to aid management in implementing education

After reading and studying the management theories of Chris Argyris, many managers and small business owners may seek a more practical hands-on or visual approach to the learning process. By watching or participating in workshops or consulting with management theory firms, the manager or small business owner can round out their education and training with practical implementation.

I recommend: Scribd hosts a wonderful online workshop on Chris Argyris and his management theories. Action Design is a management consulting firm based on the theories of Chris Argyris that offers training, workshops and mediation for businesses. Active Trainer sells a downloadable training course in Argyris theory developed for use by work teams.

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Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  The Argyris management theory is just one of the many management theories utilized by industry leaders today. A well-rounded education on management would include the theories of other top social scientists.

If you're interested in the interpersonal relationships within your company, then you should consider looking into the management theory of Chris Argyris. Those new to Argyris' theories will find a wealth of new information on which they can act upon. Theories such as single and double loop learning and the immaturity/maturity theory can reshape the way that you think about business and help foster employee empowerment. Learn the following key terms associated with Chris Argyris' theories to get started.

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Single-loop and double-loop learning

In single-loop learning, an organization will change a method that is not working. In double-loop learning, if a process is not working, the members of the organization will review the principles behind the action to see if they are the factor that needs to be adjusted.

I recommend: Visit InFed.org to learn more about single and double-loop learning. Scroll down about a third of the page to see a diagram.

Immaturity/maturity theory

The immaturity/maturity theory, or continuum states that there are seven changes that an individual must go through in order to become mature. These include moving from a passive to active state and moving from dependence to independence.

I recommend: Learn all seven points of the immaturity/maturity continuum at ACCEL.

Action science

Action science is an idea developed by Chris Argyris that helps individuals to increase skills and confidence. This helps produce better workers, so companies should focus on developing employee skills.

I recommend: Check out ActionScience.com to learn more about the principles of action science.

Employee empowerment

The idea behind employee empowerment is that employees that are feel confident and empowered are better able to effect change within the organization. This is essential when certain processes become ineffective. Argyris was a proponent of employee empowerment.

I recommend: Read more about employee empowerment in an article from the Organization Management Journal.

Organizational learning

Organizational learning is a term coined by Chris Argyris and Donald Schon. It is the idea of organizations as a whole being able to learn and grow through the detection and correction of problems.

I recommend: Learn more about the types of organizational learning from 12 Manage.

Flawed Advice and the Management Trap

Flawed Advice and the Management Trap is one of the books written by Chris Argyris. It discusses why many different books and theories on professional management fail. Managers should try to avoid acting on this flawed advice.

I recommend: Learn more about the book from an article on BNet.