Compare and contrast the significant similarities and differences among the theories of goal setting, self-efficacy, and reinforcement. Specify the theory that you believe most closely aligns with your current or future approach to motivating employees. Support your response with at least one (1) example that demonstrates your approach to employee motivation.

Conscious and rational approach is crucial for setting goals in life. Within this, possession of a theoretical approach helps the individuals to proceed on a right path towards their goals. As a matter of specification, setting goals provides motivation and encouragement to the individuals in terms of gaining confidence that they are capable of doing all the tasks including the challenging ones (Travers, Morisano & Locke, 2015). Consideration of the propositions of Goal Setting theory enables the individuals to set goals, which are difficult to achieve. This escalates the vision of the individuals in terms of gaining self-efficacy. In view of the earlier sentence, proportionate relationship can be established between goal setting and the performance of the tasks. Countering this, performance of the tasks with a rationalistic approach enables the individuals to stand out from the rest of the crowd (Kiresuk, Smith & Cardillo, 2014) Willingness is one of the main components for the achievement of identified and specified goals. This willingness helps the individuals to maintain a stipualed routine for performing the allocated tasks. Reinforcement of this routine on a regular basis takes the individuals a step forwards towards the set goals. Taking guidance and assistance from the guardians encourage the individuals to expose hard work, perseverance and desperate attitude towards achievement of the identified and the specified goals. The earlier sentence projects the complementary nature of goal setting theory, self-efficacy and reinforcements (Travers, Morisano & Locke, 2015). Countering this, strategic vision towards the reinforcement of routinized practice adds efficiency in the performance of the individuals. Upgradation in the exposed performance is a gradual progression towards the achievement of targets.

The highlighted goal-setting theory proves beneficial in terms of encouraging the employees. Preparing the employees for creating short term goals in the first instance would improve their focus. Moreover, provision of adequate motivation and encouragement to the employees would generate within them an urge to consistently expose better performance (Kiresuk, Smith & Cardillo, 2014).  

References

Kiresuk, T. J., Smith, A., & Cardillo, J. E. (2014). Goal attainment scaling: Applications, theory, and measurement. Psychology Press.

Travers, C. J., Morisano, D., & Locke, E. A. (2015). Self?reflection, growth goals, and academic outcomes: A qualitative study. British Journal of Educational Psychology, 85(2), 224-241.