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Locke and Latham’s five principles

The big picture

Professors Edwin Locke (Maryland University) and Gary Latham (University of Toronto) believed that there are five basic principles for setting goals and that the likelihood of achievement increases according to the level of adherence to each of the principles. They are:

  • Clarity
  • Challenge
  • Commitment
  • Feedback
  • Task complexity

When to use it

The five principles can be applied whenever you are working with a team member to set new goals.

How to use it

  • Clarity: state a goal clearly, concisely and unambiguously. Specify a time period in which the team member must achieve the goal. Ensure that the outcome can be measured in some way. Test the team member’s understanding of the goal. Asking the ...

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