For myself, I don’t think having “swagger” is particularly constructive. Ego is a mind-killer. It is selling smoke.
I’m quite good at what I do. In some things, I am very good; but at many, many other things, I still have a lot to learn, and in other areas, it’s best I stay out of the kitchen, entirely.
In the areas in which I excel, I often exude great confidence, which is sometimes mistaken for arrogance.
The key difference, though, is that I’m quite aware that I have yet to reach the summit. False confidence is a lie, but so is false humility. I’m good at what I do. I want people to feel assured. Confidence is a trait that helps to add to a team environment. Arrogance is corrosive. It damages a team.
Regardless of how good I get, I’ve learned that kindness, respect, and empathy never go out of style. I can always listen to others, and treat them well. And, even more important; I always have something to learn.
If I am working for others; either as an employee, or under contract, they are the boss. They may make rash, uninformed decisions, give terrible orders, and treat me (or worse, my work) like crap. I have to tuck in my bib, pick up a spoon, and engage in coprophagy. It sucks, but that’s life. I had to deal with it for a long, long time, and am grateful that I am finally free of it.
I was a manager for a long time. I was a very good one, but I hated that job. I did a lot of open-source work during that time, as it kept me sane. Being humble was not a problem. I wasn’t that high on the food chain, and my bib was quite stained.
During a long career, filled with bad decisions and mistakes, I have learned that there’s really no substitute for the kind of self-confidence (and humility) that is wrought by experience.
“Good judgment comes from experience. Experience comes from bad judgment.”