Hi blossom–could you please give me some links to the literature on people skills that you mention? I think a Google search is likely to turn up a wide variety of results, mostly not useful.
I don’t think success as a salesman implies insincerity, and certainly not “snake oil.”
I am bound to be accused of parsing words, but it is not clear to me why good ways of interacting with others are thought to be predicated on skills, rather than personal qualities. I realize that both can be developed.
But could someone give an example of a “skill” that is just that, and not linked to personal qualities, such as empathy, thoughtfulness, kindness, and patience?