Article

A few days ago I was interviewed by a communication and advertising student on the concept of manipulation in a professional context and a position of leadership.

Having a Latin origin, a few centuries ago manipulation had a more simple and noble meaning. Based on the combination of the words "manus" (hand) and "plere" (to fill), it used to mean "to handle skillfully by hand".

Then somehow what was defined as manual dexterity turned into some negative mental and emotional influence of other people. Yet, like many of our actions, the intention is what makes the difference. To which end do we manipulate? Do we systematically see the use of analogy, metaphor, storytelling as wrongly manipulative? If we did we might as well completely stop watching TED talks or completely revisit some of our parenting strategies for those of us who handle very creative little persons whose full time job is to test our limits.