Extending Self-Efficacy Theory to Leadership: A Review and Empirical Test

In this study Bandura’s (1986) self-efficacy concept was extended to the leadership studies domain. The literature was reviewed to support the proposition that high leadership self-efficacy was a necessary, though not sufficient, factor contributing to leadership performance. Also, antecedents of leadership self-efficacy were identified based upon self-efficacy theory. Leadership self-efficacy was found to predict leadership behavior and distinguish leaders from non-leaders. Further, prior leadership experiences predicted leadership self-efficacy judgments. Finally, women reported significantly lower leadership self-efficacy than men. Implications for leadership education practices and future research are discussed.