You say that like it’s untrue, but they measurably prefer a lying but confident salesman over one who doesn’t act with that kind of confidence.

This is very slightly more rational than it seems because repeating or acting on a lie gives you cover.

Yes, that is in fact their revealed preference.

Did you have a point?

You use unfalsifiable logic. And you seem to argue that, given the choice, CEOs would prefer not to maximize revenue in favor of... what, affection for an imaginary intern?

Cute straw man.

You must be a CEO.

I'm not arguing anything. I'm observing reality. You're the one who is desperate to rationalize it.

You are declaring your imagined logic as fact. Since I do not agree with the basis upon which you pin your argument on, there is no further point in discussion.

You're hallucinating things I did not say.