Corporate Jesters continuously struggle to pass on their insights in ways that are positive, non-confrontational and supportive.  Although we have talked about techniques to do so in previous editions, it might be helpful to take a moment to examine not so positive tactics commonly used to manipulate others.  All of these, while potentially gaining a desired behavior change, may produce negative long term consequences as they don't create new awareness or paradigm shift.  As a jester, I suggest you be able to spot them - but avoid employing them yourself.

 

Labeling Tactic - the technique of applying a stereotypical label to a person based on one characteristic and then using that label to imply something else.

 

Friendship Tactic - the technique of getting someone to do something they would otherwise not do by leveraging a relationship.

 

Reciprocity Tactic:  The technique of providing something unasked for and then asking for something else in return.

 

Reciprocal Concession Tactic:  The technique of making a unreasonably large request followed immediately by a smaller request hoping it will be accepted to make up for the refusal of the first request.

 

Scarcity Tactic:  A technique in which pressure is exerted by suggesting a time or supply limit exists.

 

Low Ball Tactic:  The technique of exploiting a commitment by adding new aspects to that commitment after the fact.

 

Bait and Switch Tactic:  The technique of attempting to switch a initial commitment to another, completely different, commitment.

 

Jester Challenge:  For the next 24 hours be aware of how often these tactics are used in the world around you - at your organization, in political discussions, in the media.  Are YOU relying on any of them?