Not even. I thoroughly enjoy playing characters that aren't necessarily the alpha dog in terms of attention and general importance.

Weak role players always feel they've got to fight harder for prominence. Have you ever sat back and watched 2 or more young males have a pissing contest in an RP you've been in? It's so pathetic you almost feel embarrassed for them.

A sign of a good writer is being able to be that guy who isn't always the strongest, smartest, not always the one taking action, saving the day, but at the same time, be able to engineer a vital, important, rewarding place in the over-all story. Sometimes the most rewarding characters aren't the alpha protagonists, or alpha antagonists.

It's all a matter of what kind of story teller you are, and what sorts of characters you can make.

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Versatility and maturity. Find it within your co-writers (via writing samples, character sheets, or conversations), or don't role play with them.

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EDIT: I feel like Mr. Miyagi teaching Daniel karate here... I've only been role playing for 8 years. I know some battle hardened veterans who's very souls would be crushed if they ever saw this thread. Because the lack of experience which emanates from it is enough to make a passionate creative writer who loves nothing more than telling stories lose all faith and hope in the future of the art form.