Manipulation, It's A Bigger Problem Than You Think ??

What if I told you that most of the sales tactics you've learned are manipulative?

What if I told you that the strategies politicians and world leaders use are manipulative?

What if I told you that our schooling systems use manipulative tactics to "educate"?

Would you believe me?

I don't require you to believe me, but I'd like to extend the opportunity for you to learn about manipulation.

If you feel like something isn't "right" in some of your relationships, this article is for you. If you feel like something seems "fishy" with all these events happening in the world this article is for you. If you are in sales and feel like you are a scumbag this article is for you.

Before starting, I'd like to give credit where it is due. This article is inspired by a recent book I just finished written by Noah Revoy. It's titled?"Become Immune To Manipulation: How They Are Manipulating You & How To Resist It." ?If this article inspires you, please hit the link above and purchase the book.

First, let's define manipulation ->

The action of manipulating someone in a clever or unscrupulous way.

Basically, it's you using some clever wordage, emotional triggering, or authoritarian appeal to sway someone's decision. The manipulator doesn't consider the other person's "side" or experience but simply manipulates in hopes of receiving what they want.

Manipulators tend to use what is known as?"GSRRM" ?tactics to sway someone in their intended direction. Please read the link above to get the full contextual breakdown.

These "tactics" are easy to spot once you know what they are. It's critical that you, so you can prepare for "dealing with them." Being aware of the tactics is one thing, but taking action against them is another. We want to ensure that when we experience manipulation, we don't use manipulation back to reinforce the habit.

The crazy thing is, not all people who manipulate are "bad" but manipulate because it's all they know. Most of us were raised by people who used manipulation tactics, so we use them back. This is why it's critical to know the difference between an unconscious manipulator and someone who is actually aware of the tactics and using them to divide and conquer (which happens more than you'd like to know).

Let's use design a manipulation "example" to learn how to spot it and deal with it effectively with rational persuasion.

Tactic: Shame

Example: You are at work and have an idea to grow the business. You bring it to your boss, and he says "you have no idea what you are talking about." You simp-fully agree that your boss is "right" throw away your idea and go back to work feeling like an idiot.

Result: You feel belittled and "dumb" because your idea was "shot down." It wasn't critiqued or talked about, just annihilated. Next, you end up going home, and your kid brings an idea to you, and you tell him the same thing your boss told you, "your just a kid you don't know what you're talking about." Then the kid feels like you did, and another soul is shattered by manipulation. This vicious cycle helps no one.

So how do we go about defending ourselves in situations like these?

First, it begins with cultivating a frame of mind that is impenetrable to bullshit. You can do this by reading Noah's book, as mentioned above. Secondly, you must know that when you go into situations such as the one noted above, manipulation tactics like shame are simply a weapon in the toolbelt of a manipulator. Make sure you are aware of the?GSRRM ?techniques listed above. Awareness of the enemy is the greatest defense. Finally, when it comes down to it you must collect allies, not through coercion but through rational persuasion.

When you generate a NO BS foundation in tandem with an awareness of GSRRM tactics and a team that supports you, rude remarks will not sway you. It will also limit the manipulator's ability to respond to you like that, as they know you know their games.

Honestly, this entire subject is a rabbit hole that I could partake in writing about forever.

BUT

The point of arranging this article was to make you aware of Manipulation on a "minor scale."

Major media companies manipulate you and get away with it. Politicians manipulate you and get away with it. Financial & Educational institutions manipulate you and get away with it. So why do they? Because WE let them.

If you don't stand for something, you will die for nothing.

-Skylar