People who are experts at persuasion tend to be seen as sleazy. However, every day, someone uses tactics of persuasion at one point or another. Persuasion can be used as a way to get a raise, land a promotion, or gain extra vacation time. It is used in regular conversations, like when you have to persuade your kids to eat their broccoli before they get dessert.
Persuasion, for some, comes naturally, and for others, it is a skill that they need to develop so they can further their career.