The last character detail I’m going to cover this round for Character Under A Microscope is manipulation. That’s right, I just went there. Every person, regardless of how good he is, manipulates other people to get what he wants. It’s part of being alive. Even animals do it. Why does your dog perk his ears and cock his head to the side? Because he knows that’s what gets him attention. There is no shame in it unless you use manipulation for evil. Our characters shouldn’t be any different. Some will use it for good and others for bad. I’m going to list several ways I’ve seen people manipulate others to help you start thinking about your characters’ preferred manipulation tactics.
1. Flattery
Sometimes when someone doesn’t get his way, he resorts to flattery. “But you’re so much better at making flyers than me, and we need this event to be a success.” I hear it all the time. Tell someone they are amazing, and they cave. You feel if you don’t cave then you’re proving them wrong or denying them success. Plus, people want to help people they like, and most people like those who make them feel good about themselves.
2. Guilt Trip
Playing on others’ compassion and sympathy to get something is another form of manipulation. Just take our example above. What if the event is to raise money for foster kids? Now you feel bad for not giving the event its best chance at success by designing the flyers yourself. Guilt is a powerful tool to those who know how to wield it.
3. Intimidation
Some people intimidate others to get their way. There are two kinds of intimidation: verbal and physical. “If you don’t make the flyers then I’ll tell our boss you thought it was below your pay grade.” Threats can be very motivating.
Physical intimidation also works. Simply step closer, cross your arms, and stare down. People don’t like others in their personal space and will do almost anything to get out of an uncomfortable situation. Or, you could just start yelling at the top of your lungs at the person. They generally agree pretty fast to make you stop. Neither of these ends well for the intimidator if reported, but that doesn’t stop some people from doing it.
4. Playing the Martyr
There are people who act like they are being treated badly in order to get you to do what they want. “I have three projects to manage, two conference calls, my mother is in the hospital again, and now our boss asked me to do flyers. I can’t tell him no or he’ll make up another bogus report for management about how I’m uncooperative. So, unless someone volunteers to take it, I’m stuck with the flyers.” And a poor gullible person offers to help make the flyers. It only works with the more caring and selfless personalities, but it does work.
5. Passive Aggression
Some people use passive aggressive comments to annoy others into getting their way. “Of course you want me to make the flyers. I’m the youngest one in the office so clearly I’m the only one who knows how to put clipart on a word doc and print it out.” Now the boss feels like he stereotyped his worker and needs to take back the request. Passive aggression usually is a long-term game though. Every time the worker gets asked to do something on the computer, she makes comments about them assuming things due to her age, and then eventually no one will ask her to help. Goal accomplished.
6. Silent Treatment
Silent treatment is usually used in close relationships where communication is vital. However, I’ve seen it used at work too. Someone is asked to make the flyers; she grimaces and walks to her computer. The person follows, since he got no response, and asks if she heard him. She answers with a clipped, “Yes.” The tension is palpable, and the person asks if something is wrong. There is a quick answer to the negative, she probably mentions she has a lot to work on, and the guy walks away. He probably won’t ask her to do anything else. He may even subtly ask someone else to take over the flyers to help with the woman’s workload. Generally, silence is uncomfortable and people try to avoid it.
7. Persuasion
Some people are more direct and try to persuade others to do what they want. They use logic or simply manipulate the circumstances to make others see things like they do. “I need flyers made for Monday. Jane is out the rest of the week, and Diane has that conference today. That leaves you or May, and we both know how May is with computers.” So, you nod your heard and say you’ll get on it. There is no good argument against the assessment. You have to agree and move on.
8. Belittling
Belittling is not always an effective method of manipulation, but I’ve seen it work enough that I included it. Someone insults a person but then pretends to give them a second chance to get them to do something. “You really bombed that last flyer you made, but, if you can create a better one this time, I might be able to convince the boss you aren’t useless.” Many people are desperate to please and are grateful for the second chance instead of seeing it as manipulation to get out of doing a job.
9. Exploiting Weakness
Exploiting weaknesses can only happen if you know the person you are manipulating. “You really want that new graphic design position opening next month so I thought you could design this event’s flyer. You could put it in your portfolio for the application.” You know what the person wants and you use that to get out of a job. Now, that doesn’t mean the manipulation doesn’t also help the person with her dream, but it is still manipulation.
On the other hand, exploiting weaknesses can also be used with threats as blackmail. “If you don’t make the flyers for me, I’ll leak that video of you dancing drunk on top of the bar last week.” Blackmail isn’t always pleasant, but there is a reason it often works.
10. Priming
The last one I’m going to list is priming someone to do what you want. This is where you set up the situation to make the person do something but think it’s their idea. This is another long-term game.
Let’s say you see a coworker that morning and you compliment her on her flyers for the last event. Then, later you make a comment about your computer having glitches. At lunch, you may comment on how much you have to do that afternoon and now the boss asked you to make a flyer for the next event. You moan about how long it takes you to design one since it doesn’t come naturally to you. The person has been primed to know she is good with flyers, you’re having computer problems, are busy, and feel incompetent in design. So, she offers to do the flyer for you. Of course, you accept and thank her profusely. This example may not be the best, but you get the idea. You lay the clues and let the person put them together.
Final Thoughts
These are only a few ways someone can use manipulation to get her way. You can think of more or even study people in your life to see what method they use. Try to give all your main characters a different approach and then let them use it. Like I said, manipulation doesn’t have to be a bad thing. Maybe they manipulate their friends to make good decisions, not to get their own way. It’s up to you how they use it, but they should all have a way to strive for what they want when it comes to other people.
Thanks for reading!
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