Fine Line Between Insinuation & Manipulation
“Insinuation is the most sophisticated way to manipulate people “
—Robert Greene Art of Seduction
Insinuation and his older, more famous brother manipulation.
When we think of manipulation, vast majority of time we think of something unpleasant, sly or lying.
But, what do you think of insinuation it self ?
Why being direct doesn’t work ?
What is the difference between these two ?
How can we achieve our goals with insinuation ?
Where can we experience it most of the time ?
All of that and more you can learn from this article, so keep reading till the end and have a great lecture.
Why being direct doesn’t work ?
Being direct is something considered as a good habit on our society.
If you’re not messing around with words, stating your opinion as a honest men/women you are most likely considered as a good person.
Yeah, that’s probably true in most situations, but not always.
You see, when you’re being straightforward the message, could be considered as something dangerous to our opinion, morals or set of ideas we have.
Our brain tend to push away facts.
We are more likely to buy stories in advance.
For instance:
There was a kid who didn’t like to read.
His parents told him that he have to read at least 20 minutes a day, in order to be smarter.
What did the kid do ?
You guessed it, everything else but not reading.
Parents decided to try this from a different angle.
They told him a story about a young man who was getting the best grades in school, played sport exactly as our little hero and became succesful wealthy man, only thanks to reading 20 minutes a day.
What is the difference between these two ?
Everyone knows the manipulation, the form of convincing others using deceptive tactics, cunning language, fearful strategies and emotional appel, used only for personal benefits.
Unfortunatelly if one person gains another loses, that’s how it’s made I’m sorry :(
And insinuation used quite often, but many don’t know about it.
Mechanism is simple, is a signal hidden in trivial remark or observation.
The crucial part in all of this is emotions hidden in this signal.
How can we achieve our goals with insinuation ?
The crucial part in all of this is emotions hidden in this signal.
But ,how can we actually use it ?
This signal works like a seed for our brain, eventually it’ll grow over time.
For instance:
During a meeting,
John makes a suggestion to his team, but his colleague Mark responds, “That’s an interesting approach. Some people might think it’s a risky move.”
Now Mark is being very smart with his words, look how indirectly he said that this plan won’t work out.
“That’s an interesting approach” →”That’s a weird approach”
“Some people “ → who is some, John don’t know only Mark knows who it might be.
Mark could said directly who are these people, but why ?
If he would start to give names of “some people”, John might even start to roast them because of the uncontrolled anger.
That wouldn’t be very unprofessional of him, but this could happen as well.
“risky move” → “dumb move”
Now let’s rewrite the sentence and see what we got.
“That’s a weird approach. I think it’s a dumb move.”
Now you see the difference .
Where can we experience it most of the time ?
If I’m going to be completely honest, direct, straightforward and many more adjectives to that.
There is no place on earth when we can’t experience it.
Seriously it is used widely look at it:
- Politicians uses it on us
- Parents uses it on us
- Friends uses it on us
- Bosses uses it on us
- Teachers uses it on us
Everyone around you uses it, maybe more, maybe less.
So, friendly advice from a stranger, not everyone wants the good for you. Acknowledge it before it’s too late.
Filter your emotions, don’t let them get inside your head because that’s what they intend to do.
Thank you for your time, I hope you’ve learned something !
