Ok, for this discussion, let's assume that the number of tells is a factor in becoming. Why would it be a problem to tell people that the IMMs value characters who interact often with others?

Every way one can cheat this system can be thwarted by some code.
- Limit the number of tells counted to any single character/day.
- Only count tells that result in a conversation (several replies)
- etc, etc

Because the option we have now is that you need to interact via tells often to improve your chances of becoming (even if it would be counter to your role?), but they're going to keep it a secret.