Insecurity key ingredient for success?

I’ve often wondered if this is the case. I think early Bill Gates, Larry Ellison, etc, are good examples of people have harnessed insecurity to fuel their business obsession.

You need to have a burning desire to prove something to get you through rough spots and keep you going. You may be trying to prove that a particular technology works or that you yourself are a worthwhile individual.

It seems we will always be more concerned with ourselves than any particular technology, so personal insecurity seems more ‘sustainable’; it can be an unlimited energy source as long as it doesn’t cripple you.