Biography Edwin Locke

Theory of setting the goals of Locke Read Time: 2 min. The theory of setting goals was developed in the year by the American psychologist Edwin Locke, who was engaged in research in the field of human behavior and goal -setting. His theory is based on the idea that the life of an individual is determined by the goals that he sets for himself. A person, relying on reality around himself and his own emotions, understands what he lacks and sets himself goals in order to achieve them in the future and eliminate the lack.

Edwin Locke, however, as you know, goals often remain unattainable, even despite the fact that a person initially strives for their achievement by all means. Why then it turns out to achieve something, but something is not? What does it depend on? Having asked this question, Edwin Locke analyzed the goal -setting process and came to the conclusion that the degree of achievement of goals depends on their characteristics.

The researcher identified the following characteristics: complexity, specificity, acceptability and commitment. See also: 10 effective time management tools, let's look at them in more detail: complexity-complex goals are a kind of challenge to a person who motivates him to work and makes him make more efforts on the path to achieving the goal. The more difficult the goal is, the more you need to work, so a person has to use all possible resources of knowledge, skills, time, etc.

However, it must always be remembered that too complex tasks can lead to loss of motivation, so it is so important to evaluate the current state of affairs before their wording. If at the moment the resources are obviously not enough, then it is better to start with a smaller goal, and then gradually move to more serious and large. Specificity - specificity is understood to mean clarity and clarity in the definition of goals.

Specific and measurable tasks also allow you to clearly see the result and methods of achieving it. Too wide and vague goals are doomed to failure. Therefore, try to determine the boundaries of your goals and make them understandable. Acceptability - the goal should be perceived as personal. To do this, a person must understand what benefit he will receive when it achieved.

In this case, he will be interested in the difficulty, no matter what it is, will no longer seem so frightening. Adherence is a willingness to perform all possible actions to achieve the goal. The commitment largely depends on the previously listed factors. So, for example, too complex tasks can cause a decrease in the level of commitment, and awareness of the goal as his own, on the contrary, makes a person more committed.

So, the theory of setting the goals of Edwin Locke can be used both for setting individual goals, and within the framework of the company where the whole team is working on achieving goals. In the second case, the characteristics of goals need to be evaluated in relation to all employees, so try to take into account the desires and capabilities of your subordinates, discuss with them the goals of your company and make them interested in their achievement.