Salesmanship Replaces Substance

Grinning in a tailored suit, eyes squinting in self-satisfaction — the image is almost too perfect. It’s not just a cartoon; it’s a caricature of modern leadership. The type that dazzles in meetings, spins strategy out of thin air, and wins hearts without ever getting their hands dirty. It’s salesmanship elevated to performance art. Behind the charm, though, there’s nothing being built. No systems fixed. No code shipped. Just recycled jargon, perfectly timed nods, and a trail of unfulfilled promises. The look says “I’ve got this,” even when there’s nothing under the hood.

We laugh because we’ve seen it. We’ve applauded it. Sometimes, we’ve been fooled by it. This isn’t a swipe at charisma — it’s a critique of how easily charisma can become a stand-in for impact. When we reward polish over progress, we invite a culture where optics trump outcomes. The great con isn’t always malicious — it’s systemic. The costume of competence walks into the room, sells the dream, and disappears before delivery. And we keep buying the act.