My experiences as a teacher, especially as a teacher of public speaking, have revealed how vital self-confidence is to all achievements.
Self-confidence and ego are different things.  Self-confidence simply recognises one's abilities, potential and limitations, whereas ego is so insecure it must prove itself regularly, with displays of strength, knowledge, power.


I taught a teenage boy years ago who was never arrogant because he was so self-confident.  When he spoke to his peers, they listened.  When he joked with a teacher, he knew exactly how far to go. His self-confidence made him well liked and respected. He had his vulnerable side, but it was not large.
Building confidence in one's students is, I believe, an important part of a teacher's job.  I have found that a little bit of praise goes a lot further than a heap of criticism.


A story on this issue that comes to mind is one from Summerhill School.  Neill, the head, was concerned about a new arrival at the school, a boy of about 12.  He lacked confidence so much he became quickly anti-social and didn't attend any lessons.  One day, as Neill was looking out the window of his office, he saw this boy spit a tremendous distance.  So the next day, Neill announced that at 1pm there would be a spitting contest.  Needless to say, the boy won and soon afterwards began attending lessons and mixing happily with the other pupils.
By finding the boy's one 'strength' and boosting it, he had also helped boost his self-confidence.  Unusual though the method was, it worked.
When I repeated this tale to a headteacher years ago, he snorted:
"A spitting contest!" - missing the point of the story completely.