Approximate reading time: 2 minutes

To illustrate the concepts of self-efficacy and social motives, let’s consider the story of Maya, a young entrepreneur. Maya always dreamed of starting her own eco-friendly clothing line. This dream required not just creativity but a strong sense of self-efficacy, the belief in her ability to succeed in this challenging endeavour. Maya was confident in her skills and persisted through numerous obstacles, embodying the self-fulfilling prophecy of self-efficacy (e.g., Bandura, 1994). Her belief in her capabilities underscores the importance of such belief in challenging professional environments (e.g., Naegle & Fougere, 2017).

Maya’s journey also intertwined with key social motives. Her ambition drove her to set and achieve significant milestones, like launching her first collection and getting featured in a major fashion magazine. Her need for affiliation was evident in her efforts to build a community around her brand, connecting with other eco-conscious entrepreneurs, joining sustainable fashion groups, and fostering a loyal customer base. This sense of belonging and community was crucial to her success (e.g., Murray, 1938).

Finally, Maya’s pursuit of intimacy, going beyond superficial connections, was reflected in her close relationships with her team, mentors, and loyal customers (e.g., Murray, 1938). These deep, meaningful interactions provided emotional support and valuable feedback, helping her refine her vision and grow her business. Maya’s story is a testament to the power of self-efficacy and the influence of social motives in achieving personal and professional success.

Image Attributions

Figure SUP MO.2. Maya and her eco-friendly clothing line by Rachel Lu is licensed under a CC BY-NC-SA license.