I'd agree that most of what they are describing is just basic social contact stuff. Although (in my view) social stuff of the forced, "ass-kissing bullshit" variety. Not that those behaviors can't be genuine, just in this context, I can imagine the author of the article with some big fake smile and pervasive strained eye contact and laughing too hard at things that aren't funny. The article has an additional sexual spin with the 'stiletto heels which add to her already tall frame' description and more.
In any case, this probably, (somewhat laughably), DOES work in a corporate setting, and less surprisingly, in less institutionalized environments. That said, I can see this blowing up in your face if you try it with the wrong people, who will either:
- see right through your bullshit and either use you or dismiss you
- be oblivious, and think you are being genuine, and certainly cause problems for you