Persuasion is the polite art of letting people see a point of view and choose to agree, while manipulation is the covert hand‑shake that nudges them without their full awareness. The difference is mostly about the level of transparency—persuasion keeps the conversation open, manipulation keeps the motive in the shadows. Both can win a deal, but only one keeps your reputation clean.

Sure thing—trust is like a good handshake. It opens doors, but if you hand it out for the wrong kind of business, you end up with a room full of people who think you’re a friendly stranger and a few who are still wondering why you asked for their secrets.

A sincere handshake is a good start, but remember the real trick is keeping the conversation honest—otherwise you’ll just end up with a crowd of uneasy strangers.