• Home Page |
    • Essays
    • Why Poetry Matters Here
    • Poetry by Brent M. Jones
    • Poetry Favorites Reviewed
    • Favorite Authors
    • Book Lover Information
    • Fiction & Fantasy
    • Personal Reflections & Influences
    • Reading & Writing
    • Stephen King
    • Thoughts & Quotes
    • Writer Symbolism
    • "My Books" Section Home Page
    • What Matters: We Are the Sum of Small Moments,
    • The Power of Authentic Communication: Speak Clearly, Listen Well, Connect with Confidence
    • The Human Factor — Discover Yourself, Clarify Your Purpose, Create Work that Matters
    • Finding the Best Version of Ourselves: The Interview of Self
    • Interviewing Yourself and Asking The Right Questions
    • Networking With a Purpose: The Informational Interview, It's Use ...................l
    • "The Human Factor: How Finding Your Dream Job Starts By Getting To Know Yourself’
    • Why Professionals Use LinkedIn
    • Work Matters It takes Technology..
    • Work Matters Insights & Stategies for Job Seekers in this Rapidly Changing Economy →
    • Philosophers are Self Help Authors
    • Terminology Is More Than Words
    • Embrace Life’s Randomness: Path to Personal Reinvention
    • Why Life Stories Change Are We a Result of Choice or Circumstance
    • Mastering the Art of Communication: The Power of Precision in Language
    • Praise and Reader Reviews
    • Book Review Index A-Z
    • Book Reviews
    • What Matters Newsletter
    • Contact Information
    • Attitude & Feelings Matter
    • Art & Reviews
    • Artificial Intelligence - AI
    • About Free Will, Determinism & Self Help Authors
    • Authenticity Matters
    • Career Development
    • Creativity
    • Coaching & Mentoring
    • Career -Insights
    • Communication - All Factors Matter
    • Employment Trends & Thoughts
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Education or Experience
    • Finding Inspiration
    • Influence, Persuasion & Manipulation
    • Interviews & Resumes
    • Informational Interviews
    • Jobs
    • Kindness & Doing Good
    • LinkedIn - Using it
    • Marketing - Publishing, ETC
    • Mental Health & Aging
    • Networking & Connections
    • Photo Essays & Reviews
    • Personal Reinvention
    • Personal Excellence & Soft Skills
    • Positivity - Positive Thoughts
    • Social Media & Branding Strategies
    • Self-Improvement
    • Introduction My Video Channel
    • Videos -Brent M. Jones Writings & Books
    • Overview of my YouTube Channel
    • Video - Life Changing Topics & Ideas
    • Videos About Why Professionals Use LinkedIn
    • Video - Positivity & Inspiration Videos
    • Video - Personal & Career Development Videos
    • Video - Communication Skills Videos
  • Author-Page |
Menu

Brent M. Jones - Connected Events Matter

11400 W Olympic Blvd Ste 200
Los Angeles, CA 90064-1584
Phone Number
Exploring the unexpected connections that shape our lives

 

 

 

Book Reviews, Comments & Stories,       Quotes, & Poetry & More

 

 

 

"Connections and Why They Matter"

 

 

 

 

 

 

Most of what happens in our life will spark a connection.  Life connects with what has been found in books. Books connect with what happens in life. Use the connections to help you see more clearly. A love of reading and writing is what motivated the creation of this blog. Thank you for coming to the blog. 

 

3

 

 

ff

 

Th

Brent M. Jones - Connected Events Matter

  • Home Page |
  • Essays & Reflections
    • Essays
    • Why Poetry Matters Here
    • Poetry by Brent M. Jones
    • Poetry Favorites Reviewed
    • Favorite Authors
    • Book Lover Information
    • Fiction & Fantasy
    • Personal Reflections & Influences
    • Reading & Writing
    • Stephen King
    • Thoughts & Quotes
    • Writer Symbolism
  • My Books |
    • "My Books" Section Home Page
    • What Matters: We Are the Sum of Small Moments,
    • The Power of Authentic Communication: Speak Clearly, Listen Well, Connect with Confidence
    • The Human Factor — Discover Yourself, Clarify Your Purpose, Create Work that Matters
    • Finding the Best Version of Ourselves: The Interview of Self
    • Interviewing Yourself and Asking The Right Questions
    • Networking With a Purpose: The Informational Interview, It's Use ...................l
    • "The Human Factor: How Finding Your Dream Job Starts By Getting To Know Yourself’
    • Why Professionals Use LinkedIn
    • Work Matters It takes Technology..
    • Work Matters Insights & Stategies for Job Seekers in this Rapidly Changing Economy →
    • Philosophers are Self Help Authors
    • Terminology Is More Than Words
    • Embrace Life’s Randomness: Path to Personal Reinvention
    • Why Life Stories Change Are We a Result of Choice or Circumstance
    • Mastering the Art of Communication: The Power of Precision in Language
    • Praise and Reader Reviews
  • Book Reviews
    • Book Review Index A-Z
    • Book Reviews
  • What Matters Newsletter
    • What Matters Newsletter
    • Contact Information
  • Talent Development
    • Attitude & Feelings Matter
    • Art & Reviews
    • Artificial Intelligence - AI
    • About Free Will, Determinism & Self Help Authors
    • Authenticity Matters
    • Career Development
    • Creativity
    • Coaching & Mentoring
    • Career -Insights
    • Communication - All Factors Matter
    • Employment Trends & Thoughts
    • Entrepreneurship
    • Education or Experience
    • Finding Inspiration
    • Influence, Persuasion & Manipulation
    • Interviews & Resumes
    • Informational Interviews
    • Jobs
    • Kindness & Doing Good
    • LinkedIn - Using it
    • Marketing - Publishing, ETC
    • Mental Health & Aging
    • Networking & Connections
    • Photo Essays & Reviews
    • Personal Reinvention
    • Personal Excellence & Soft Skills
    • Positivity - Positive Thoughts
    • Social Media & Branding Strategies
    • Self-Improvement
    • Introduction My Video Channel
    • Videos -Brent M. Jones Writings & Books
    • Overview of my YouTube Channel
    • Video - Life Changing Topics & Ideas
    • Videos About Why Professionals Use LinkedIn
    • Video - Positivity & Inspiration Videos
    • Video - Personal & Career Development Videos
    • Video - Communication Skills Videos
  • Author-Page |
Untitled design (2).png

.

The Truth About Manipulation

August 19, 2025 Brent Jones

How psychology blurs the line between influence, awareness, and control—and how to recognize it in everyday life.

We’re influenced every day—by words, by images, by people. Most of the time, we don’t even realize it’s happening. A clever headline makes us click. A persuasive tone shifts our opinion. A well-timed silence in a conversation nudges us to reveal more than we planned.

That’s influence. But when does influence cross into manipulation?

Some people have called me a manipulator. Maybe there’s a grain of truth in that—but not in the way they mean it. To notice patterns, anticipate reactions, or think strategically isn’t manipulation. It’s awareness. And awareness, when paired with the right intent, is a strength.

The real difference is in the intent. Influence can guide, persuade, or connect with honesty. Manipulation hides its purpose and seeks control. The behavior on the surface may look similar, but the underlying motivation changes everything.

Here’s what psychology shows us:

  • Influence relies on transparency and trust.

  • Manipulation thrives on secrecy and imbalance.

  • Awareness—noticing how influence works—gives us the power to choose for ourselves.

Being smart doesn’t make you manipulative. But ignoring the forces that shape our choices can make us vulnerable. When we learn to recognize influence, we reclaim the ability to decide what truly matters to us—rather than letting others decide for us.

In the end, it’s not about escaping influence; that’s impossible. It’s about becoming more aware, so we know when we’re being guided and when we’re being pushed. That awareness is where freedom begins.

If this made you think, share it with someone you trust. Influence is everywhere—but awareness spreads, too.

Source: https://connectedeventsmatter.com/manipula...
In Truth about manipulation, Forces that shape us Tags Manipulation, influences, Awareness
Influence, Persuasion & Manipulation: Everyday Forces That Shape Us →
. RSS

About

Brent M. Jones


Brent writes with quiet confidence and curiosity, exploring communication, reinvention, and what truly matters. His reflections invite readers to slow down, reconsider their stories, and reconnect with the values that guide them. Through books, essays, and his What Matters newsletter, he offers writing that doesn’t shout—but still speaks clearly.

A Lighter Side of Brent

Not every dragon is meant to be slain. Some remind us of imagination, curiosity, and the unexpected turns that make life meaningful.

Subscribe to Subtack-Newsletter-What Matters
Author's Page Amazon
Book Review Section
Book Review index
My Books
Click to Read the poem -People come into your life ..........

CONNECTED EVENTS MATTER

Because they Explain Who We are and Where We Are Going

 © Copyright 2025 Connected Events Matter