Manipulation is the one word that sounds off a lot of people’s red alarms. I have learned that it doesn’t take much to manipulate someone to do something you want them to do.

It is important to know when you’re being manipulated, therefore I’m writing this post to help you identify when that is.

The way to manipulate someone is to build value and then take away that value from them.

Think about that for a second….Think back to when you’ve done something you didn’t want to do for someone who has built some sort of value in your life. This can be a family member, a friend, or more often than not…a significant other.

I’ll give you an example:

Imagine if you and I meet for the first time, and I begin to call you a nickname. Let’s just say that that nickname is “KP”. We become friends over time and every time I hit you up or speak with you, I call you by that nickname. A few months pass and one day, I do something unimaginable….I call you by your first name – no nickname.

The first thought that will go through your head is, “Woah – Nick called me by my first name.” Another day passes and I again call you by your first name. Those red alarms are sounding off in your head. You’ll begin to wonder what you must’ve done or what must’ve happened to me that caused me to no longer call you “KP”.

Then, you decide that enough is enough and you check in on me. The moment that you do that is the moment that you become my bitch. I will have this enormous power over you to get you to do whatever it is I need you to do. You will do whatever it is you need to do to “restore peace” and have me calling you “KP” again.

I will then tell you whatever it is I need you to do, and guess what? You’re going to do it because you want me to call you that nickname. You want that value back – the value that I have created.

To manipulate someone, simply build some value. It can be as simple as a nickname or sending them a “good morning” text. Do it consistently enough that it begins to mean something to them. Then, you just cut it off by taking away that value from their life.

Manipulation can occur in any setting – personal and professional. Always be on the lookout for this.

Final Thoughts

You have been manipulated into doing something at some point in your life. I want you to know this so that you can understand when it’s occurring. Don’t let anybody manipulate you into doing something. Don’t let them have that much power over you no matter whatever value they know they hold over you.