Self-Esteem and Self-Efficacy Are Linked Traits, Which

Self-esteem and self-efficacy are linked traits, which are both connected with locus of control and emotional stability as well (Judge & Bono, 2001). According to Judge & Bono (2001), along with locus of control and neuroticism, self-esteem and self-efficacy can impact such behavioral counterparts as job performance, job satisfaction, communications effectiveness, and relationship stability. There is a bi-directionality in the relationship between self-esteem and self-efficacy, in that self-esteem engenders self-efficacy; while self-efficacy also helps stimulate a sense of self-esteem. Self-evaluation traits like these are also connected with both broad issues and specific tasks. For example, the individual will be continually judging and evaluating his or her own performance, which is then used as a sort of feedback mechanism that impacts future performance on the job or on similar tasks. Self-efficacy refers more specifically to the individual's view on how he or she can perform a specific activity; whereas self-esteem refers to a more general sense of self-worth. In other words, self-efficacy is at play more with specific tasks or skills sets, and self-esteem is directly linked with the sense of self. It is critical to develop strong senses of self-esteem and self-efficacy, but to link these self-evaluation traits with measurable outcomes (Frank, 2011).

There are both internal and external forces that impact self-efficacy. One example of an internal force that impacts self-efficacy is that of effort. For example, the harder I apply myself to a given task may be more important than the actual outcome or my performance on that task. On the other hand, if I try my hardest to perform well on a certain task and still do not receive the desired outcome, then I may experience low self-efficacy. There is a link between effort and self-efficacy, but that relationship will vary depending on my self-esteem. If I think highly of myself, then I will congratulate my efforts regardless of the result and simply vow to keep trying until I get it right. If I think low of myself and have low self-esteem, then I may give up on the task entirely because I think that I am unable to succeed no matter how much effort I apply. Therefore, the role of effort as an internal variable provides a perfect illustration of how self-esteem and self-efficacy are linked.

An external factor that impacts self-efficacy includes the perception of luck. Moreover, one's view of luck illustrates the connection between self-esteem and self-efficacy. Luck is a nebulous concept, but if I have high self-esteem, I may attribute my failure on a task to a lack of luck rather than to a lack of effort or efficacy on my part. I may believe that external factors ranging from other people to simple fate may have impacted my performance, but that my performance does not reflect my own ability to perform. On the other hand, if I have low self-esteem, I might ignore the external variables that may be construed as luck. Alternatively, I might believe in the power of external factors like luck and believe that I am somehow permanently flawed in my ability to perform.