There is very little difference between manipulation and influence, except that manipulation has a negative connotation while influence is the opposite. When people are manipulated, they don't even know it is happening. On the other hand, when people are being influenced, people are somewhat aware of what is happening. People play politics to advance their careers or personal agendas. There is a definite line between bad and good. The way we find our lines for bad and good is to think about our core values. Everyone has a sense of right or wrong, but each person's gauge on what's wrong and what's right differs.
Everyday I am faced with decisions that blur the lines between right and wrong. I work in Quality at a biotechnology company and I make decisions everyday that have implications on the patients that use our drugs. The world is not as black and white as we think it is. I think it is possible to use our weapons of influence for good. At my company, our core values are to ensure safety to our patients and be science based. Whenever I make decisions at work, I outweigh potential risks and make recommendations. It seems pretty easy, but it is never easy. There is always a threat of walking out of the building in an orange suit for making a bad decision.
Fortunately, the guys at Google don't have to worry about going to jail for withdrawing from China because they don't agree with the country's policies. I think that people with power should use it if they can influence positive change. Celebrities use their power and influence in positive ways to bring attention to many issues that would be overlooked otherwise. After I graduate and am even more successful, I hope to use my power and influence to bring attention to social issues. Maybe one day, Myanmar, the country my parents are from, will be a safe place to visit and people don't live in poverty everyday. If I could use the weapons I learn in this class to have positive influence, then I don't think there is anything wrong with that.
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