The John Adair Handbook of Management and Leadership

Chapter 7: Motivation and people management 169

Jacob’s ladder model

Moving down the ladder, ask howare we going to achieve the task?

The answer is by breaking down the purpose into the main aims

and the main aims into short and long-term objectives or goals.

Moving upthe ladder, ask whyare we doing this? The answer is

to achieve this objective in order to achieve this aim and to satisfy

this purpose.

Targets (for short and longer-term objectives) set should be:

• specific


• clear


• time-bounded.

An objective or target must be realistic (feasible) and challenging.

If you aim for the best you can often get it.

Targets must be agreed and monitored with further action agreed

to maintain motivation toward shared objectives.

Purpose

Aims

Objectives

HOW? WHY?