How to Coach Yourself and Others Beware of Manipulation | Page 109

14. Diversion and Evasion:

Diversion:
Manipulator not giving a straight answer to a
straight question and instead being diversionary,
steering the conversation onto another topic.
Evasion:
Similar to diversion but giving irrelevant,
rambling, vague responses

Perhaps no behaviors are as frustrating to someone trying to elicit some degree of accountability from
another as are the tactics of evasion and diversion.
A moving target is hard to hit. If you try to confront an issue head on, a person who wants to
manipulate you will do their best to side-step the issue. Evading a matter of central concern is a great
way not only to dodge responsibility, but also to keep the light of illumination from shining on the
behavior needing attention.
They want to keep the spotlight off their problematic behaviors. They also don’t want their true
character to be exposed or to be put on the spot (i.e. caught momentarily without a good offensive
strategy for taking advantage of another). So, they are quick to dodge the important issues brought to
their attention. When you ask them a direct question, they will not give a straight answer. Instead,
they try to evade or sidestep the question and often also try to re-direct your focus (this is another tactic
called diversion, which will be the subject of another post).
Evasion is a one of the main tactics manipulators and other disordered characters use to maintain
control in situations. A common misconception, based largely on outdated principles of classical
psychology, is that they engage in such behaviors because they perceive themselves to be under attack
and are trying to defend themselves and protect their egos. But the real reason they use such tactics is
to keep others in the dark and in one-do v