Final answer:
Managers should help workers understand and accept the goals when using goal-setting theory, and involve them in the goal-setting process. Goals should be challenging yet realistic and aligned with company objectives, and each step toward these goals should be clarified to maintain motivation.
Step-by-step explanation:
When using goal-setting theory to motivate employees, managers should help workers understand and accept the goals. This involves setting goals that are challenging yet realistic, which means they should not be so far beyond employees' reach that they seem impossible, nor should they be so easily achievable that they do not provide a sense of accomplishment. Key elements of effective goal-setting include clarifying the path to reach the goals, involving employees in the goal-setting process, and ensuring the goals are meaningful and aligned with the company's objectives.
According to Theory Y, which posits that people are more satisfied when given responsibility and involved in setting their own work goals, it is important for managers to engage employees in the goal-setting process rather than imposing goals on them. Also, consistent with the principles of Scientific Management, the focus is on increasing workers' efficiency. Employing an approach that considers each step toward a goal provides clarity and helps maintain motivation, thus supporting career development and job satisfaction.