The difference between persuasion and manipulation
I often see these two words used synonymously. As if being persuasive or manipulative were the same thing. Although both are aimed at getting people to do what you want, this is a fundamental difference: Our ability to make our own decisions. To illustrate it, I'll add a third term: Coercion, which doesn't cause as much confusion. It is when you are forced to act against your will; in other words, it eliminates your ability to make decisions. Generally coercion is notorious; you know that someone is preventing you from acting or deciding for yourself. And in that sense it is ... [keep reading...]