Family4 Financial

It’s sometimes hard to tell the difference between encouragement and manipulation. But,the two are fundamentally different:

Manipulation is nudging people to make a change based on how it will benefit the manipulator. Manipulators base their message on partial or biased information. Manipulators are often guilty of deception.

Encouragement is nudging people to do something for their own good. Encouragers have the best interests of the other person at heart. They offer support based on the best information they have, but sometimes their facts prove to be incorrect.

Here are some hints to discover if what you are experiencing is manipulation or encouragement:

1. How does the message make you feel?
2. On reflection, does the message bring up an internal green light (go), red light (stop), or yellow light (caution)?
3. Is there anything about the message that contradicts your knowledge, self-interests, or self-esteem?
4. Are you suspicious of the messenger’s motives?
5. Are you being overly influenced by people around you who are supportive of the message or the messenger?
6. Are you feeling pushed to make a quick decision?