Good leadership can mean the difference between a company that succeeds and a company that fails. The statistics behind uninspiring leaders are, quite frankly, shocking. Of the leaders in the lowest percentile of effectiveness, 93% of these leaders are likely to be rated in the bottom percentile on productivity.
Leadership is not just about happy workers; it’s about productive workers. Manipulation can yield you and your company these results.
One of the secrets to good leadership is manipulation. Surprised, right?
Why Is Manipulation So Important?
Manipulation can be used in a good way, just like it can be used in a bad way. The definition of manipulation is simply about changing behaviors.
For example, you may want to create a more diverse workplace because they’re 1.7 times more likely to forge inspiring leaders. Manipulation can be used to gradually change the makeup of that workplace.
Let’s take a look at some of the ways in which manipulation can be used by good leaders.
Dealing with Negative Behavior
Negative behavior is a common workplace challenge. Manipulation can be used to change workplace behaviors and to send a message to your entire team about what is acceptable and what isn’t acceptable.
For example, using a technique on one person when they step out of line tells the others about where the line is, thus making further breaches less likely.
Inspiring Further Productivity
There are so many different manipulation techniques that can be used to inspire further productivity. Manipulation like giving out gifts, sending random compliments, and leaving positive notes, are techniques that can be used to change the mindset of individuals.
This is an especially effective form of manipulation when dealing with someone who’s failing to keep up or pull their weight.
It makes them feel like they’re a valued part of the team and encourages them to improve, rather than accept mediocrity.
Extracting More from Your Team
Any sports manager will tell you there’s a time to be nice and there’s a time to be hard. Sir Alex Ferguson, the famous football manager of Manchester United, was notorious for using this type of manipulation.
He would frequently berate his star player Ryan Giggs whenever he made a mistake. This is something he wouldn’t do with the other players simply because he saw him as a star, and he expected more from him.
It also sent a message that he wasn’t playing favorites and expected consistency from everyone.
Good leaders will tell you that all leadership courses teach the importance of being both the stick and the carrot.
Last Word – Why Manipulation Can Be Used for Good
How you act as a leader can influence the behavior of your team. There are lots of manipulation techniques you can use to get different results.
There’s nothing sinister about this and nothing that crosses the line. It’s just about the way you carry yourself and how you overcome challenges for the betterment of both the company and the individual.
Have you tried using manipulation within your leadership strategy yet?
