Competence vs. confidence

Some time ago I read this article about how intelligent people are unsure of themselves and incompetents are confident of their ability. http://www.nytimes.com/library/national/science/health/011800hth-behavior-incompetents.html In that same vein, I also ran across an article about hiring practices and the writer talked about how his nephew (in charge of personnel) rejected all the applicants that didn't exude confidence..."What Jay wants to see is if the writer sounds confident. It's the single most important quality an employer desires in an applicant. The next round will test that, and the actual qualifications, but it's confidence that opens the door in the first place."

Aesop said "The smaller the mind the greater the conceit". Personally, I have found that to be true - the more intelligent people I know are also the most modest.

Is this why we are stuck with rather stupid leaders instead of the rise of the best and the brightest? That ability won't even get you in the door? This might also be an explanation of why the valedictorian fails and the sports star succeeds? Competition favors the thugs over the thoughtful.