Self-efficacy: core of employee success

Purpose This viewpoint demonstrates the importance and significance of individual self-efficacy beliefs and perceptions with regard to performance and in relation to self-regulated learning. The concept of self-efficacy has been widely researched and reported mainly in academic journals. This viewpoint aims to clearly explain the concept and its formation, give some details of its relationship with performance and persistence in effort, and present some specific advice for managers and supervisors pertaining to guiding and assisting employees. Design/methodology/approach This paper is built upon the following: a thorough review of the literature regarding the topic of self-efficacy, the practical experience of the authors in mentoring and supervising employees, and a desire to offer specific, helpful advice to managers/supervisors in enhancing and stimulating employee self-efficacy and personal learning. Findings The body of research across several domains, such as business, education (mostly pre-college), psychology, and athletics, clearly reveals that personal self-efficacy beliefs/perceptions can be highly motivational with regard to performance and improvement in learning tactics and strategies. This study finds that little attention has been given to advising managers/supervisors in assisting employees to enhance personal self-efficacy, hence the effort to provide direct advice. Originality/value There have been a few attempts to link self-efficacy with self-regulated learning. Both concepts are valuable when it comes to individual effectiveness in performance and in one’s personal growth; and this study highlights the coordination between the two. Originality and value are represented in the advice offered for managers/supervisors using the ordered, process steps of self-regulated learning as an organizing basis.