Doug NollI'm called in when human dynamics are getting in the way of strategic leadership execution.

The Manipulation Tactic Nobody Talks About.

19 Sept 2025 · 1 min

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Manipulators deliberately push your buttons until you explode, then use your outburst against you. The fix: stay calm, name what they're doing, and walk away. Deny them the reaction they want and you take back control.

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Highly manipulative people keep pushing your buttons until you finally explode, and then they weaponize your outburst against you without acknowledging their role in it. That's why you feel guilty. You feel bad because you have a conscience and you know you lost control by reacting, but the manipulator never feels bad at all about making you angry on purpose. So what can you do? Don't give them the big reaction they want. Call it out in a calm way. You can say, "You're just trying to get a reaction from me," and if they keep going, just walk away. The truth is, your explosion isn't the problem. The real problem is their button pushing. And when you stop taking the bait, you take back the power. Share this video with the first person that comes to mind.