Quant- West Point or the Air Force academy can screen for leadership potential… but that doesn’t mean that a cadet is exempt from four years worth of actual leadership training- followed by years of MORE training once he or she is an actual officer in the armed services.
Companies teach employees active listening skills, how to fire someone, giving and taking feedback (and most of the time it’s negative feedback), influencing skills, how to get someone to do what you need them to do even if they don’t report directly to you, etc.
Some employees have wiring which makes them easier to teach (that’s the innate stuff that you consider “social skills”). But even people not wired that way can learn these skills.
Haven’t you ever had a boss who was able to correct a mistake you made at work without making you feel lousy? That’s a skill which can be taught. And no- that person isn’t “faking it”- they have learned an actual skill (delivering feedback) which is critical for many types of roles. Have you ever worked on a team where one member had the uncanny ability to take a 25 minute argument and bring it to a rapid conclusion with everyone feeling pretty much on board with the decision? That can be taught. No- they aren’t “faking” empathy, they have learned a negotiating skill which allows adversaries to feel a “win” which gives them permission to cave on another element of the argument.
Are people born knowing how to waltz? No. Is it easier to teach someone who is naturally coordinated to waltz vs. someone who is physically awkward? For sure. Is it possible for someone who is physically awkward to learn to waltz? of course.