13 Pressure Tactics
Lousy bosses use pressure tactics and call it leadership. They disguise manipulation as motivation.
Pressure tactics are self-serving strategies used to get what you want.
Pressure Tactics Sound Like
- “I’m pushing you because I believe in you.”
- “This is a chance to prove yourself. Get it to me by Friday.”
- “You’re the only one I trust with this.”
- “You’re too valuable to promote.”
- “Let me help you think this through.” (Translation: Do it my way.)
- “This will open doors for you.”
- “We all make sacrifices.”
13 Pressure Tactics to Watch For
- Flattery – Praise with strings attached.
- Social Proof – “Everyone else is on board.”
- Loyalty Leverage – “I’ve done a lot for you.”
- Fake Input – “What do you think?” (While guiding the answer.)
- Urgency – “This offer expires tomorrow.”
- Pulling Rank – “Here’s what I think… what about you?”
- Guilt Trips – “Don’t let me down.”
- Gaslighting – “You’re the only one who has an issue.”
- Veiled Threats – “I’d hate for this to affect your future.”
- Favoritism – “You’re our most important person.”
- Toxic Positivity – “Everything’s great. No complaints.”
- Policy Shields – “It’s company policy.”
- Repetition – Say it often enough and it feels true.
7 Ways to Respond to Pressure Tactics
#1. Recognize: Notice when you feel pressure. Naming is one step toward overcoming.
#2. Slow Down: Artificial urgency is the mother of bad decisions.
#3. Explore: “What are the other options?”
#4. Restate: “I just want to be clear. So you’re saying I could get fired if I don’t do this. Is that right?”
#5. Seek Mentorship: Secrecy gives pressure tactics power.
#6. Be Honest. “I need some time to think about this.” (Use “I” statements.)
#7. Prioritize. “Let’s talk about what’s most important.”
Make a Shift:
Inspiration touches hearts. Pressure tactics require authority. Fear is a short-term solution.
Energize people by helping them get where they want to go.
What pressure tactics have you seen leaders use?
7 Ways Manipulators Get What They Want
24 Ways to Challenge People Without being a Jerk-Hole
Manipulative vs. Persuasive Leadership
“If you have the potential, which I think you have, you’ll get this done on time, within budget.
Yes, use potential as a club!
Looking at this, I’ve certainly been guilty of using pressure tactics in the past to get results out of my team members. I’ll be sure to remain aware of it in the future! I’m curious, how should I express to a team member that I’m deliberately challenging for the sake of their growth, that they are being pressured for a specific reason?
Hi Conrad, your question inspires a post all it’s own. I’ll post it soon.