Edwin Locke: Goal-Setting Theory of Motivation 

Edwin Locke was interested in the way goals and goal-setting motivate us in the workplace. People strive to achieve their goals. So, a worthwhile goal is intrinsically motivating.
On the face of it, the role of goal-setting in motivation theory is obvious. But there is more to Edwin Locke's theory. In this video we'll look at:
- how Locke's theory works
- evidence that goal-setting works
- how to set effective goals
- the cultural impacts on goal-setting theory
Get the Kindle eBook that accompanies the course, for just $2.99 (or local equivalent): geni.us/dAPQ
Watching this video is worth 2 Management Courses CPD Points*.
(See below for more details)
This video is part of course module number 3.7.2
Program 3: Managing and Leading Individuals
Course 7: Motivation
Section 2: Process Models of Motivation
Primary videos about Process Models of Motivation include:
- Elton Mayo and the Hawthorne Experiment • Elton Mayo and the Haw...
- Victor Vroom and Expectancy Theory • What is Victor Vroom's...
- John Stacy Adams and Equity Theory • What is John Stacy Ada...
- Douglas McGregor and Theory X & Theory Y • What are Douglas McGre...
- Rensis Likert and High Producing Managers • Rensis Likert and High...
- Chris Argyris and the Immaturity-Maturity Model of Motivation • Chris Argyris and the ...
LESSON NOTES
Edwin Locke’s Goal-setting Theory links:
- Values
- Emotions & Desires
- Goals (intentions)
- Actions (responses)
- Work performance
- Consequences (feedback)
Albert Bandura and Daniel Cervone did an elegant experiment that showed that:
- Goal setting works
- Feedback improves it
We also know that the best goals are:
- Specific
- Stretching - challenging/realistic. They challenge people who have what McClelland would call a high need for Achievement (nAch)
- Made with commitment - ideally, the owner participates in the goal-setting
- Public
- Ones where the owner has control over the outcomes
- designed to allow timely and accurate feedback - which is best if that feedback is self-generated
Other important factors
Self-efficacy - the person with the goals must be able to take action that affects their outcome
Culture
- Goal-setting works best in North America, Northern Europe, and Anglophone countries
- less so where the manager-staff relationship is more dependent, and performance is less highly valued, like in South America, Latin Europe, the Middle East
Edwin Locke:
‘Goal setting is more appropriately viewed as a motivational technique rather than as a formal theory of motivation.’
RECOMMENDED EXERCISE
1. Think about when you have had goals. Some will have motivated you - others not. What were the characteristics of the goal-setting that was motivating? (2 MC CPD Points)
2. If you have not done so, it would be helpful to take a look at our video David McClelland • David McClelland and T...
3. Review the personal goals you have now. Refine them to make them as effective at motivating you as possible? (2 MC CPD Points)
4. Work with members of your team to help them with their own goal-setting. Focus on letting them steer the goal-setting process, and help them to make their goals effective. Pick two people for this exercise, to learn from. (2x3 MC CPD Points) Then roll out the process across your team.
DOWNLOADS
Free Resources
- CPD Tools - gum.co/MC-CPD
Paid resources
- Management Courses Onboarding Kit - gum.co/MC-ObK ($3)
- Motivation Graphics Pack: managementcourses.gumroad.com... ($2)
RECOMMENDED READING
Get the Kindle eBook that accompanies the course, for just $2.99 (or local equivalent): geni.us/dAPQ
For a solid introduction to motivation:
- HBR Guide to Motivating People geni.us/sO2IKgn
The best of modern thinking on motivation, in accessible business books. These are all modern classics:
- Drive: The Surprising Truth About What Motivates Us geni.us/uq3EBO
- Start With Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone To Take Action geni.us/vjErAN
- Lead, Motivate, Engage: How to INSPIRE Your Team to Win at Work geni.us/ABkZEx
- Multipliers, Revised and Updated: How the Best Leaders Make Everyone Smart geni.us/E39I
- Payoff: The Hidden Logic That Shapes Our Motivations geni.us/uMaP
- The Progress Principle: Using Small Wins to Ignite Joy, Engagement, and Creativity at Work geni.us/tiEkeH
Management Courses Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Points
You can record your Management Courses CPD points on our free, downloadable CPD record log.
Download it here: gum.co/MC-CPD
Each video has two levels of MC CPD points. For this video:
- If you simply watched the video, record 2 MC CPD points
- If you also carried out all of the recommended exercises, score a total of 12 MC CPD points
___
Note:
Links to our book recommendations are affiliated through Amazon
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