A leader’s power can be used in multiple ways, for both good and bad. Good leaders understand that employees value both the journey and the destination. A leader who uses power only to reach a destination will destroy employee morale and motivation. 

“The measure of a man is what he does with power” (Greek proverb).

The “command and control” leadership approach is based on a military technique and as such it is best suited for similar high-risk work environments that require strict control of personnel.  In non-military environments, command and control approaches should only be used during times of crisis or emergency.  During times of peace and prosperity, influence serves to maintain the positive relations we all crave in our work environments. Influence being the ability to have an effect or cause change without force or command.  With influence, there is choice and transparency. The influencer acknowledges that the recipient may choose not to believe or act the way the influencer wants them to, but the influencer will try to persuade and convince anyway. To influence another human being requires the influencer to respect and have good intentions towards the recipient. It requires open communication so the recipient can make a choice. While “command and control” only works from the top down, influence can move down, up and laterally.

When the influencer does not have the ability to influence an individual or has lost the respect of an individual, the danger lies in how much the influencer wants to change and control the recipient. As leaders, influence can quickly turn to manipulation because of the power a leadership position brings. In its worst sense, manipulation is the skillful management or control of something with the intent to deceive, mislead or affect something for personal advantage. While “command and control” and manipulation both intend to control an individual, they are accomplished through different methods. Command and control techniques use transparent rules and direct orders which all employees have accepted ahead of time, while manipulation is accomplished through unfair and insidious methods. With manipulation, the recipient does not acknowledge, and may not be aware of the other persons position or intent towards them. Manipulation manifests in lies, withholding information and resources, ignoring policy or law, pitting employees against each other, deliberate sabotage of work and multiple other unsavory tactics to achieve an outcome. Manipulation does not respect or have good intentions towards the recipient. Manipulation only values the result, not the process or the relationship. 

Avoiding the slippery slope from influence to manipulation requires a leader to first acknowledge their intentions and level of respect for their employees. Influence can only come from a place of respect and tolerance, otherwise it is manipulation.