I have to manipulate others into thinking that I am responding to them and their feelings. People need this. I don’t naturally do it, so I have to put it on. I am very accepting of people, usually because I don’t care either way, and it’s easy to use this goodwill to a purpose, like igniting a fire in someone about an issue I care about. Most of the time, I just leave people alone. But if I see a real opportunity, I will take it.

A lot of manipulation I do would qualify as “leadership” and “passion for a cause.” I am just aware that I am making use of the skills and efforts of others to help me to achieve goals. I try to make it so that I only make use of people in this way if it serves their interests. Sometimes I have an interest in these people and sometimes it is purely machiavellian.