Answer

In strategic consulting, persuasive communication is always used with precise ethics: to help the person reach an objective (or to solve a problem) defined by the client and accepted by the consultant, and this in the shortest time possible. As Watzlawick claims: every act of help that aims at being effective, is in some way a form of "manipulation" (just think of a surgeon when he operates), yet persuasive communication used by the strategic consultants has nothing to do with forcing or subduing people. Persuasion, in fact, is not aimed at damaging other people's freedom. It voices the interest and potential of the individual. In other words, persuasive communication is used by the strategic consultant to help people do something that they would like to do, but at that moment are unable to do it.