They are more numerous than you think, the open space manipulators who fool their colleagues, take them for idiots. More or less subtly. In the office, there are several categories and sub-categories of manipulators. To each his style and technique. Their objective, of course, is to never be caught in the bag ... From manipulator to loser, there is only one step. And so much the better: if you take the gamble of manipulating others, it is at your own risk. An exposed manipulator is rarely forgiven…
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Obviously, there is no physics of manipulator, in the same way that there exists a physics of first of the class - Agnan way in Le Petit Nicolas de Sempé and Goscinny - or of computer engineer. The manipulator may be your neighbor in the office: the head of an innocent man, a gentleman or everyone who wouldn't hurt a fly. In public, he always seems sympathetic, affable. He wants you no harm. You are also very tempted to trust it and to deliver yourself: gossip, confidences and judgments about each other ... Whatever you tell it, the manipulator will remember and can use it against others ... or against you!
How to protect yourself from the manipulator? A dash of paranoia has never hurt anyone. You have to avoid being easy prey: speak out and about, give opinions on everything and anything, criticize colleagues behind their backs ... You have to “sort” among the people to whom you entrust. While keeping in mind that each of your employees can be an open space submarine. And report your words ... The famous "rapporteur" of primary school. From a CM1 class to open space, there is only one step.
For the benefit of this column, do not hesitate to share your own experience of important people by writing to qperinel@lefigaro.fr.
