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<p>Look at how The Apprentice works (or a whole lot of other “reality” TV shows). Plenty of nasty people get ahead. It is a sign of poor coaching when the nasty girls are allowed practice thier craft.</p>
<p>I think the thing about athletes getting ahead is more that they are more accostomed to dealing with competition, cooperation and when one of those is effective and when it is not.</p>
<p>With regards to the “social” skills getting one ahead, just look at sales. Generally, marketing of products gets a larger cut of the revenue than the technical and manufacturing end of any operation. And who ends up in the sales department? Those with the stronger social skills.</p>