10 Ways to Deal With Manipulative People

Manipulative people are those who use tactics to influence or control you in order to gain personal advantage.

You may have such experience controlled by a manipulator. They’ll tell you something subjective but they’ll make things as objective facts. They pretend they’re helping you, actually, they’re not, but they have the ability to convince you to believe them.

Although you can identify the person around you who is a manipulator, you find it hard to get rid of them as they’ll act slippery, flip-flop on issues, and use emotional manipulation to control you.

To protect yourself from manipulative people, here are 10 useful tips that you can try.

1. Stop Doubting Yourself

You may doubt yourself from past failures, which gives manipulative people a chance to use this psychological weakness against you. They’ll use uncertainty and your past failures to let you doubt your capabilities. Further, they’ll make you deny your value.

Therefore instead of thinking what if it goes wrong, think about the possibilities that you can make it right and stay positive.

You need to be clear that every past mistake doesn’t mean you are a failure, it simply means you need to try harder or find better ways next time. Stop doubting yourself and start believing in your abilities and potential again.

2. Don’t Ask for Opinions Or Permission

You are the only one who knows what’s best for yourself. So trust your judgment and don’t ask for a manipulator’s opinions or even permission before you take action. For example, if a manipulative person attempts to make decisions for you, politely say that it is your decision and no one else can interfere.

3. Respond to Them Later and Question Their Motivations

Manipulative people often mask their true motives and intentions. They often want you to agree with them quickly so that you don’t have time to think about their motives. 

To protect yourself from them, always question their motivations behind their words and actions. You can respond later, take some time for yourself and reflect on what just happened, and then make decisions. 

Ask yourself why the person said or did those things? Does this person benefit from his or her suggestion? What do I get from this relationship? 

4. Ignore Everything They Do and Say

Manipulative people usually do something to attract your attention, and most times it is the bait they toss to lure you in. For example, they might try to act like a friend, promise you something or give you advice that looks good on the surface but has their interests in mind in the long run.

If you ignore them completely and don’t respond to their baits, they’ll grow tired of it and go away. You also will not be influenced by them, and your actions will remain free from their control.

5. Set Boundaries and Stick to Them

We’re humans. We’re likely to be grateful when someone shows kindness to us. But you need to be careful when manipulative people do good to you, ask yourself why manipulative people want to get close to you? Is it really out of kindness?

Set boundaries and stick to them. Ask yourself what you are willing and not willing to do for them, and be firm about it. Anytime they cross your boundaries, let them know that you will not tolerate such behavior. Say No when it’s necessary.

6. Keep a Record of Their Actions

Manipulative people can twist the truth easily, so keep track of all their actions and conversations. This way, if they try to manipulate you again, you can look back and remember what happened in the past.

By keeping a record of their manipulative behaviors, you can also share it with other people who have been affected by them and build a strong case against them.

7. Talk to Someone Else

If you feel overwhelmed by the manipulative person, talk to someone else who can help you discern right from wrong. It could be a trusted friend, a family member, or even an expert in psychology. Talking to someone else can help you regain your sense of perspective and think more objectively about the situation.

8. Build Your Self-Confidence

Manipulators often target those people who don’t have strong self-confidence. The lack of confidence makes it easy for them to control you and get what they want. 

So, building your self-confidence is the key to protecting yourself from manipulative people. Spend time and work on your self-esteem. Keep in mind that you are an individual with unique thoughts and opinions, and no one can make you do something without your consent.

9. Make Constant Change by Investing Yourself

Manipulative people are experts in finding the weakest points and exploiting them. One way to reduce their power is to learn something new and make constant changes in your life. 

Invest yourself in something that helps you grow as an individual both in mind and money. This will give you the strength to stand up against manipulators and protect yourself from their influence.

10. Don’t Apologize and Take Responsibility for Yourself

Manipulators tend to make you apologize for things that aren’t your fault. Don’t fall into the trap of apologizing continuously, as this will only give them more control over you and make them believe that they can do whatever they want.

Take responsibility for yourself and don’t let them intimidate or guilt-trip you. You are responsible for both your successes and failures. If something goes wrong, take ownership and find a solution instead of giving excuses. This will make it clear that you’re not going to be an easy target.

Final Thought

Dealing with manipulative people can be a challenging task, as it requires you to stay alert and make wise decisions. Keep these strategies in mind, stand up for yourself, and don’t let anyone control or manipulate you. Remember that you are in control of your life and no one else.