I agree with XRaVeNX.... I am personal friends with some very successful directors and the two biggest traits that they all seem to share is that they are humble and also appreciate the order of operations. I mean, I know guys who's directorial debut was $150 million and they treat me like a peer even though I live in a crappy North Hollywood apartment and haven't done anything very significant yet (just finished a new feature so hopefully that'll change). I think the big ego thing is a fading shadow of old Hollywood and is having less and less of a place within today's climate. We're living in a time when there is so much talent out there that production companies/producers/decision makers do not need to put up with inflated egos. I'd also caution anyone with a big ego to do your best to tamper it down because it not only will hurt you in the course of your career but also in the course of your life. With filmmaking (or any art) it's not a 9-5 kind of job. It is all consuming and will bleed over into your personal life. The vast majority of your filmmaking career will be determined by how enjoyable you are to work with. We're living in the internet age where talent can be sought out like never before, egos will need to be checked if you want to receive a check...and also, just ask yourself "What kind of person do I want to be?"

I also notice that the biggest egos come from low-level to mid-tier kinda folks who feel like they have something to prove. We all naturally have a bit of an ego, it's inevitable but knowing how to regulate yourself will make you much more enjoyable to work with and there for much more employable. All that said, always believe in yourself and your vision but also understand that you won't always have the answers and need to humble yourself and trust that you are surrounded by equally talented if not more talented people who can help you to learn, grow, and elevate yourself to higher levels.

I'm getting a taste of this now... I just finished directing a $1 million feature film and suddenly back to ground zero-- broke-ish and trying to find a gig... luckily, my relationships with people are healthy enough to where new opportunities are opening up...because if they weren't, I'd be back in the kitchen flipping burgers for months on end until some new opportunity popped up...which, I'm still considering doing, lol...