This article is an introduction to a wider research project aimed at analyzing managers’ self-esteem in context of their personality, cognitive and social competency determinants. Adequate self-esteem is critical for managers effective performance. There are significant differences between high and low self-esteem in terms of persistence and activity levels.  Self-esteem persons face openly challenges while the low self-esteem ones are primarily oriented towards avoiding failure. Self-esteem is also associated with susceptibility to risk and decision-making in management.  Although it has been the subject of research for more than one hundred years few reliable measurement tools are available.

In the present study an attempt was made to determine which personality and social competency variables are significant predictors of self-reported self-esteem. Ninety researched subjects were working either for corporations or SME sector as managers. Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, NEO-FFI (personality factors) by Costa, McCrae, and the Social Competency Profile by Matczak and Martowska were used. Curvilinear relationship between self-esteem and age was found. Contrary to expectations women did not score higher on self-esteem than males. Hierarchical stepwise regression analysis revealed neuroticism as major and social resourcefulness as a secondary significant variable explaining self-esteem in Polish managers.  

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