That, too, depends. If for example I need kitchen cabinets built, I can hire the technically best carpenter in the world without regard for his people skills. So as I said, I don't agree with the quote without qualifications.

Ability is a deliberately nebulous word in this context. It is up to the business owner to decide which ability or group of abilities is important to their business. Only rarely would you consider only a single ability in any case.

I'm not at all sure that I agree with the statement without qualification.

We've all met people during our lifetimes that we said, "I don't care what he's got...there's no way I'd put up with that!". So I guess it boils down to what we mean by best. Technically the best at what he does? She' the best people person? They're not the best in the field, but all around, they'll help the company the most?