[tn135]

> The skills of a con artist are not related to the ability to build good systems.

I think it is very very rude of you to call it a skill of "con artist". I have seen teams with average individuals achieving lot more than several very intelligent people simply because together they worked lot more better. Any company who ignored the communication and personal skills of their engineers is bound to fail.

[hueving]

You're suggesting constantly practicing talking about yourself and highlighting your skills. Building confidence is exactly what a con(fidence) artist does.

I'd rather have engineers that can actually discuss technical problems rather than deliver smooth talk about how they are incredible.