I don't think ego vs. confidence is the question, as if we could control these independently of anything else.

A better focus for officials is to establish habits of reading (rules and cases), practicing (mechanics, self-evaluation), and communication (during games, with fellow association members). These habits are more directly within one's control.

When one is improving in all of these dimensions, a certain confidence will come naturally. When one is still striving to learn, this confidence is unlikely to shade over into arrogance.

I think that I am above having an inflated ego. I say this very confidently. :D

The Kid's Got Spunk ...
 

Agree. However, the kid has pretty thick skin. He seems to be handling it well, especially for a Forum newbie, especially for a "not really an official" Forum newbie. He's riding with the punches, taking our best shots, and keeps getting up for more. I can't believe that we haven't scared him away yet. Old School got scared and ran off, crying, to his mommy, a lot sooner.

If you don't know you're a damned good ref, you're not going to go very far or last very long.