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Management & Leadership vocabulary · Motivation and Feedback

Goal-setting theory

Meaning in management & leadership, with examples

nounAdvanced term

In management & leadership, goal-setting theory means: A theory explaining how goals can direct attention, effort and persistence, with their effects shaped by commitment, feedback and task conditions.

In Turkish: hedef belirleme kuramı

How it is used

Use to discuss motivational effects of specific, challenging goals rather than treating all difficult targets as beneficial.

Example sentences

  1. Goal-setting theory informed the manager's decision to replace vague ambitions with specific service goals.

    A clearer goal gives effort a more definite direction.

  2. The team used goal-setting theory to discuss why feedback mattered during a long improvement programme.

    Information about progress helps connect continuing effort with the target.

Common collocations

  • apply goal-setting theory
  • goal-setting theory of motivation
  • SMART goalsGoals that are specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound; a common checklist for making goals clear enough to act on and track.
  • motivationThe reasons and energy that make a person want to do something and keep doing it, such as interest in the work, recognition, money or a sense of purpose.

More terms: Motivation and Feedback

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