lever-puller n. 1. is usually considered a derogatory term 2. someone whose position in government or society allows them to control others without their knowledge or approval, often for power or financial gain 3. a person with the ability to manipulate outcomes or events 4. a career politician or bureaucrat
I have written about the manipulation of others, ethics, and morality in previous articles. I will agree that all of us are prone to thinking about manipulating others to achieve our purposes. However, I remain steadfast in my belief that providing someone with information that is true in order for them to decide outcomes on their own is not malicious or dishonest. I’m not sure that it should even be referred to as manipulation. Let me try to explain my position.
Most of my professional career revolved around business management both as an owner-operator and corporate guy. Some positions were entirely focused on sales or customer relations and others were operations focused. Anyone that has been in operations management and has been successful understands that there is a sales component always present in day-to-day life too. It may involve employee interaction or client interaction. There is always someone that has to have their concerns addressed. Over the years I amassed a significant library of books related to Leadership, Sales, Negotiations, etc., and the one overarching theme was that of honesty and declaration of intent. As an example, Dale Carnegie teaches about presenting facts and benefits in a sales presentation. If I am meeting with you and am presenting facts and benefits of why my product may be better or why my company will provide better service AND it is honestly represented and followed through on is that manipulation? I would argue no, emphatically! There is no dishonesty or malicious intent.
Unfortunately, there have always been individuals that have no reservations with regard to behaving dishonestly. It is a human condition driven by those seeking power and or financial gain. Years ago I knew someone that had been involved in the auto industry and also owned a car dealership. Now most of us will agree that the auto business is renowned for its dishonesty. I always found it ironic that because he was prone to dishonesty everyone else was too so it was ok then to be dishonest. Is that a case of circular reasoning? Everyone does it so I should too!
The true Lever-Pullers are now manipulating populations across the globe with impunity. They have been identified and caught red-handed but nothing seems to happen. The behavior continues as if it is ok. It is accepted as everyday life. Our government and business leaders manipulate through the power of mass media through the internet. We watch riots and property damage during the George Floyd debacle and turn the perpetrators free sometimes with a financial incentive. Conversely, the J6 “insurrectionists” are arrested and their lives destroyed. One President that swam against the current is castigated continuously and another that obviously is dishonest walks free continuing to peddle influence at a cost to all of us. Politicians involve themselves in insider trading which is clearly a conflict continue to enrich themselves at our expense. Business leaders and bureaucrats collude to defraud and manipulate at our expense and with impunity. If something seems wrong it usually is so follow the money trail. In the end, you will probably find a Lever-Puller.
Beware the Lever-Puller!
“It's not about the past; it's about knowing your history so that you can fight in the present. Otherwise, you don't know who the real enemy is, what the real issue is, because it had been covered by many layers of bad information, of lies, and manipulation.”
—Raoul Peck
Y’all try to be good now!
Good stuff, lever pullers stink
It all boils down to ethics! More attention should be paid to strengthening ethical standards. Assholes everywhere!