Do you have what it takes?

Common wisdom has held that the most successful businesspeople in the world possess fancy degrees and unlimited access to wealth and connections. But the truth is that education and connections don’t matter if one doesn’t have the skills with which to use them. Spies, however, have spent their careers learning how to successfully persuade others. In fact, intelligence officers are among the best salesmen in the world.

And the product they sell? Loyalty to the United States.

Whether we realize it or not, each one of us is a salesman. Every day, we sell our talents, values, and ideas to colleagues, friends, and even our partners. At the office, we maneuver in code to receive promotions, higher salaries, and recognition.