Agreed with Lore and Knight.
Perhaps the difference between ego and your true-self (yang/self-assertive) is that ego seeks validation from others while the latter doesn't. Higher self would be our potential, all we wish to become but aren't there yet? Ego may feel threatened by successes of others while when we are true to ourselves, we accept competition as natural part of life but our confidence isn't dragged down by someone elses success. Ego can also be kind of a social mask, that's how I thought of it when younger!
Perhaps "eliminating ego" would benefit those who are naturally so aggressive, they feel they're not obliged/dont care how their actions affect others, even if it were against the law and common well-being.