I did not say it wasn't possible, in fact I explicitly allowed that is possible. The claim is that in general they are forces at odds and in most of those situ

I did not say it wasn't possible, in fact I explicitly allowed that is possible. The claim is that in general they are forces at odds and in most of those situations in takes more energy to project confidence or assertiveness. I think I would otherwise mostly agree with your post, that it is a skill that can be improved with practice, and to different degrees in different people.