I'm the world's worst manipulator. I don't get how to do it, my mind doesn't work that way and I'm just not that kind of person. The closest I've been to being manipulative was when my kids were little.
"Allison, I'm going to time you and see if you can get me some cookies out of the cupboard in 20 seconds. Ready?"
"Yes dad I can do it!"
"GO!" I'd say as she trotted into the kitchen, running my little errand and I smiled to myself.
As they got older it didn't work.
"Carson, go get the mail. I'll time you."
"Mmmmmm-Hmmmmm", he'd mutter, not even looking up from his phone.
But other than that, I don't know how manipulative people do it. BUT that's probably what makes me so easy to manipulate. And I know some very manipulative people. People who put up a fuss if they don't get their way. People who throw tantrums. People who trade secrets and gossip for power. Very hard to deal with.
Here's a great article with some advice. Check it out.