There are three theories that will help us understand the motivation of employees in the workplace:

• Goal-setting theory suggests behavior can be motivated with specific, challenging goals that are obtainable. The key to goal-setting theory is ensuring employees understand what is expected and accept the goals.
• Self-efficacy is the belief in one's personal ability to do a task. There is a lot to be said about scoring high in this trait. People who are confident about their abilities tend to succeed, whereas those who doubt their abilities tend to fail.
• Reinforcement theory explains how behavior can be altered by administering positive or negative consequences to the actions of employees. Behavior with positive consequences tends to be repeated, and behavior with negative consequences tends not to be repeated.
• Take a moment to think about what it would take to motivate you to achieve your goals at work; which theory would you use and why?

• In reflecting on either an experience at work or with a family or friend, how can you motivate them to achieve the goals in their lives? Which motivational theory would you use and why?