Unmasking Manipulators: 11 Clever Ways to Take Control of the Conversation

J. A. Jackson Author
4 min readNov 20, 2023

Ever felt like you’re caught in a verbal tug-of-war with someone who’s a master at pulling the strings? We’ve all been there — dealing with those tricky individuals who love to twist words and play mind games. But fear not, dear reader! Today, we’re arming you with a verbal toolkit to outsmart these manipulators and take charge of the conversation.

Introduction: Picture this: you’re engaged in a conversation, and suddenly, it feels like the truth is being stretched like taffy. Manipulators are skilled at bending reality to fit their narrative, leaving you bewildered and frustrated. But worry not; we’ve got 11 clever phrases that will have you standing firm, unswayed by their attempts to control the narrative.

1. “Let’s Stick to the Facts”: When a manipulator is trying to
paint a picture that’s far from reality, use this phrase to gently steer the
conversation back to solid ground. It’s your way of saying, “Nice try, but
I’m not falling for that.” By sticking to the facts, you show them that
truth and clarity will always prevail against manipulation.

2. Understand Their Game: The first step to outsmarting manipulators is understanding their tactics. Recognize guilt, confusion, and diversion as their weapons, and you’ll stay one step ahead, avoiding their traps.

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