Managing dynamics without manipulating

In one of our interactions with a client during a recent workshop I received a comment about how cleverly I was manipulating the attendants to achieve the results I wanted them to achieve. I took it first as a compliment, confirmed by the positive end result of the workshop and the recognition of the participants.

I remembered to have heard that comment repeatedly many years ago during another series of workshops on organizational effectiveness, as the one responsible of the corporate training program. Hence I am having this reflection.