Where's the Line
/There’s a line between influence and manipulation. Being on the wrong side of it is dangerous. It’s like crossing the centre line into oncoming traffic. You might survive occasional crossings, but eventually you’ll crash.
It’s interesting how people respond to change. Some rapidly adapt while others resist until it’s inevitable. I wonder where you sit.
For a number of years, I was tasked with leading change in a large disability services organisation. It was one of Australia’s oldest registered charities, so there were traditions and mindsets that could be traced back over 100 years. Many staff had worked there 30 plus years. That stability led to deep corporate knowledge, but also significant reluctance to change.
My role was unusual. I had no budget and no staff. I was tasked with complex situations that most preferred to avoid. My only real tool was influence.
Influence is the process of getting someone to act and/or think the way you want them too. We influence people all the time. Partners, kids, colleagues and customers. Some cross the line between influence and manipulation.
Manipulation is influence using devious or morally questionable methods for your own advantage.
Some examples of Manipulation are:
Implying that sex will win you favour (promotions or preferential treatment)
Bribes, intimidation and threats
Claiming credit for the work of others
Pitting people against each other.
These things can be really overt and clearly over the line or much subtler. The TV reality show Survivor is built on manipulation. Everyone is clearly there to be the final winner, so they pull every piece of manipulation they can think of to win.
Examples of Positive Influence are:
Mentoring
Building an intentional culture and code of conduct for the workplace
Setting targets that lift performance
Being kind to others
Helping others achieve results - adding value
The line between manipulation and influence is marked by intent. The more ruthlessly you police your own line, the more enduring your results will be.
More from Mike
Subscribe to Mike’s weekly Unshakable Newsletter here.
Download a 1-page resource on the power of gratitude in Unshakable teams here.
Buy a copy of Mike’s book “Thrive and Adapt” here, or sign in for a complimentary PDF copy
Contact Mike to discuss organisation wide Well-being and Resilience programs that create Unshakable teams:
+61 423 193 196