Building Leaders from the Inside Out: Insights on Developmental Efficacy

What motivates some people to continue to develop as leaders?

In research conducted by my colleagues and me, "Believing Is Becoming: The Role of Leader Developmental Efficacy in Leader Development," we explored how internal confidence shapes a leader's growth journey.

We found that Leader Developmental Efficacy (LDE) — or a leader's belief in their ability to develop leadership skills — is a critical driver of engagement in developmental activities and the formation of a strong leader identity.

Because leadership development is costly and often limited without personal engagement, practitioners sometimes ask," How can we encourage leaders to take responsibility for their own development?" Our findings suggest that nurturing belief in one's ability to develop is a key part of the answer. This perspective aligns with Bandura's (1997) foundational work on self-efficacy, demonstrating that confidence fuels persistence and resilience. Similarly, Avolio and Hannah (2008) highlight that leaders with strong self-efficacy better withstand developmental challenges, leading to richer growth experiences. Nurturing self-development is critical — leaders who take ownership of their growth are more adaptable, resilient, and capable of translating learning into real-world impact.

Key Points:

• LDE is foundational: Confidence in development fuels real leadership growth.

• Mindset matters: Leadership development isn't only about skill-building; it's also about fostering belief.

• Organizations can intervene: Structures that affirm developmental potential can significantly boost LDE.

Actions We Can Take:

• Integrate positive feedback loops in development programs.

• Provide "small wins" early in leadership experiences to build efficacy.

• Encourage reflection on growth to reinforce a sense of capability.

  
  

References:

• Reichard, R. J., Walker, D. O., Putter, S. E., Middleton, E., & Johnson, S. K. (2017). Believing is becoming: The role of leader developmental efficacy in leader self-development. Journal of Leadership & Organizational Studies, 24(2), 137-156.

• Bandura, A. (1997). Self-efficacy: The exercise of control. W.H. Freeman.

• Avolio, B. J., & Hannah, S. T. (2008). Developmental readiness: Accelerating leader development. Consulting Psychology Journal: Practice and Research, 60(4), 331–347.