Photo credit: Field Trip
There are some words we prefer to avoid hearing. When we do that, we do not recognize that a word might have different meanings.
As a serially manipulated person, I didn’t particularly appreciate hearing the word manipulation. That didn’t matter to me until someone in a club to which I belong said manipulation could be positive. I first argued with the person saying manipulation was always a crime.
I later did my research, and voila, I discovered that manipulation could be positive.
Positive manipulation theory argues that not all low levels are satisfied within modern societies. Positive manipulation employs various techniques such as, motivational speaking, personal coaching, mentoring and the strategic use of incentives.
These tools guide individuals or teams, encouraging them to think creatively, collaborate efficiently, and work toward common objectives. Managers may use manipulative techniques to facilitate personnel management and enhance productivity.
Positive manipulation by a manager is purposeful behavior directed at meeting the needs of those involved in the interaction. Before a manipulative approach is used, personality characteristics and possible areas of vulnerability should be assessed.
If someone attempts to influence a situation strategically and doesn’t do so for personal gain, it doesn’t have to be labelled as manipulative.
A positive manipulation may also be called a “connivance.”
In therapy, virtually every major school has included a variety of indirect techniques that might be designated paradoxical.
Someone may need your help, and for some reason or another, they will turn down all your attempts to help them. It would be a good idea to help them to help themselves. That, of course, can’t be described as manipulative since you aren’t doing it for self-gain.
I think it’s the motif that really matters. Ask yourself the question: Is what I want to do aimed at self-gain or the benefit of the other person? If it’s for the other person, then it is positive manipulation.
