Who is the most confident person you know?
For me, confidence is not bravado. It is not loudness, swagger, or an inflated sense of self. A confident person has the courage of their convictions. They listen carefully, think independently, and act on what they believe. Their confidence is clothed in humility. They are willing to acknowledge mistakes, admit when they do not know, and keep going without needing applause.
A few people come to mind. Dietrich Bonhoeffer is one. His writing was clear, his convictions were strong, and he could not stay in New York because he could not “speak out with integrity” against Nazism from abroad. Returning to Germany cost him his life, but he had the courage of his convictions. The confidence required to follow that path was extraordinary.
Bob Brown is another. More than forty years ago, he helped lead the campaign to save the Franklin River. He stood firm, called people to action, and helped galvanise a movement that shaped the future of the Tasmanian wilderness. His confidence was not theatrical. It was sustained, principled, and exercised over decades of public service.
Tim Costello also comes to mind. As a Baptist minister, social advocate, and former CEO of World Vision Australia, he has long shown the courage of conviction. He combines a fine mind with an ability to communicate clearly and persuasively. His persistent opposition to the gambling industry in Australia has been especially inspiring.
What these people share is not ego but moral courage. They were not confident because they believed so much in themselves. They were confident because they believed deeply in something larger than themselves, and were prepared to act on it. That, to me, is the most compelling kind of confidence.
The Afterword 
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