Management

Goal Setting Theory of Motivation

October 26, 2022

The goal-setting theory of motivation helps us in understand how individuals feel motivated by setting well-defined or SMART goals, getting constructive feedback from superiors, and how goal setting is directly linked to improved performance, increased output, increased commitment, and positive organizational culture.

The accomplishment of goals is a very crucial factor to determine the motivation level of an individual, goals provide a path or direction to an employee about what needs to be done and how much effort is required to be put in.

In this article, we will discuss comprehensively the concept of goal setting theory of motivation and its principles, Smart goals, examples, and importance.

► What is the Goal Setting Theory of Motivation?

The goal-setting theory was proposed by Edwin Locke in the late 1960s.

The goal-setting theory of motivation advocates that the goals of an individual or group are directly linked to task performance and goals provide direction to workers about what needs to be accomplished by them.

The difficult goals have greater motivating factors than easy and general goals.

This theory also focuses on how specific and challenging goals along with appropriate feedback from superiors contribute to enhancing the task performance of employees and boosting their motivation level.

► Principles of the goal-setting theory

According to Locke’s goal-setting theory, there are five main principles.

Clarity
Challenge
Commitment
Feedback
Task Complexity

✔ Clarity

Goals should be clear and specific. If goals are clear and specific then relate to higher performance in completion and reduce the chance of misunderstanding. When employees understand project objectives and deadlines, there is much less risk of misunderstandings.

✔ Challenge

Goals should be set as challenging to keep employees motivated, and focused and put more effort while performing the tasks so he or they can achieve each goal. If an organization or manager set too tedious or easy goals for an employee that have a demotivating effect on the employee’s behavior it results in less achievement satisfaction.

✔ Commitment

If an individual is committed to the achievement of goals then they will not leave it before achieving it. If an employee is committed to the goal, then he or she understands, supports, and definitely enjoys the process of achieving the goal.

✔ Feedback

Feedback is a vital part of the goal-setting theory. Employees should receive regular feedback from their superiors or mentors so that they stay on track to reach the goal.

✔ Task Complexity

It means the degree of complicated actions needed to be required by the performer to accomplish the task. Complex or demanding task push harder to reach the goals.

► Steps in Implementation of Goal-setting Theory

The steps that help in the implementation of the goal-setting theory in the workplace are given below and these steps include:

Decide the purpose of the goal
Communicate with the employee
Develop a plan using the SMART model
Allocate the required resources
Provide regular feedback

✔ 1. Decide the Purpose of the Goal

The first step of the implementation process is to decide what is the purpose goal and what is organization aim to achieve after the completion of goals. The purpose goal should be clear and specific to both management and employees.

✔ 2. Communicate with the Employee

After deciding the purpose of the goal, the organization should communicate with employee’s ask for their opinion about the goal. This step is very crucial for employees to participate in the setting of their goals and understands their roles and responsibilities in terms of accomplishing the goal.

✔ 3. Develop a Plan using the SMART Goal

The organization used the SMART model for setting and accomplishing goals. A SMART is carefully planned and has trackable objectives. A SMART is an acronym that stands for Specific, Measurable, Aggressive, Realistic, and Time-bound.

SMART Goals meaning in a detailed manner explained below.

Specific
Measurable
Aggressive
Realistic
Time-bound

Specific- means that the goal should be well-defined, clear, and unambiguous.

Example – Instead of saying the goal is to increase sales, the manager should set a specific goal, such as increasing sales by 15% over the financial year.

Measurable – It means measuring employee progress toward the accomplishment of the goal.

Achievable – Goals should be fairly challenging and attainable. The goals being set are slightly higher than an employee’s skill set so he or she keeps pushing hard to achieve the goal.

Realistic – It means that goal should be reachable and relevant to both employee and management objectives.

Time-bound- Goals should have a clear timeline in which they need to be reached. It is important to create a sense of urgency.

✔ 4. Allocate the Required Resources

The organization should provide all required resources, equipment, time, and information needed by employees to accomplish the goal. It ensures the faster, more effective, and more efficient completion of tasks.

✔ 5. Provide Regular Feedback

It is the duty of superiors or managers to meet with the employee on a regular basis to check their progress, review their action plan, discuss the results achieved and provide constructive feedback that helps the employee to improve.

► Importance of Goal-setting Theory

This theory highlights the importance of the willingness of employees to work towards the accomplishment of goals is considered the biggest source of job motivation.
This theory built the relationship between goals difficulty and motivational level.
It helps in formulating the goals that push harder for employees to achieve them.
It helps in the creation of SMART goals which lead to greater output and better performance.
Goals should be specific, clear, realistic, and challenging.
Goals should have a deadline for completion which help in avoiding misunderstanding and trackability of goal.
It advocates the concept that the more challenging the goal, the greater the reward, and the attainment of the goal gives an individual a feeling of pride and triumph.
This theory advocates the importance of feedback in directing employee behavior, making clarifications and regulating goal difficulties, and ensure to higher employee performance.
It helps employees to work with more involvement and leads to greater job satisfaction.
Participation of employees in goal setting makes the goal more acceptable and develops a sense of belongingness leads among the employees.

Also Read :Process of Motivation