Influence is one of the most potent forces in human interaction. We see it everywhere—in our leaders, our marketing, our friendships, our families. It can be used to inspire creativity and drive positive change, but we also know its darker side: manipulation. For a Perceptionist, whose entire art form exists in the delicate space of suggestion and belief, a strong ethical framework isn’t just a professional courtesy. It’s everything.

The work I do is a constant exploration of the boundaries of influence. And through that exploration, I have come to believe in a few core principles that separate ethical influence from mere manipulation.

The Principle of Empowerment

The first and most important rule is this: influence must be used to empower your audience, never to diminish them. The goal is never to make someone feel foolish, gullible, or outsmarted for a cheap laugh. The goal is to make them the hero of an impossible and beautiful moment.

Think of it as the difference between two kinds of experiences. One performer might use a psychological quirk to make an audience member feel tricked. I strive to use that same quirk to make them feel uniquely intuitive. In my “UNIQUE” show concept, the audience’s choices directly shape the outcome, giving them a profound sense of agency and importance. Their perception isn’t a flaw to be exploited; it’s a skill to be celebrated. The aim is to have them walk away feeling more aware, more capable, and more in tune with the fascinating workings of their own minds.

Transparency of Intent

While my methods are, by necessity, a secret, my intent must always be transparent. When you attend one of my performances, you are entering into an unspoken agreement with me. You agree to be entertained, to be intrigued, and perhaps to experience a moment of wonder. I, in turn, agree to provide that experience in a way that is safe, respectful, and serves that shared goal.

This “invisible contract” is sacred. Any influence I employ must honor it. This is the bright line that separates performance art from a con. The context is everything. My audience’s trust is the single most valuable asset I have, and it must be earned and protected above all else. I am not there to prove I have a strange power; I am there to create a fascinating experience for you.

Leaving Them Better Than You Found Them

Ultimately, the true measure of ethical influence is the state in which you leave your audience. What is the lingering emotional echo of the experience?

My goal is for that echo to be one of connection, curiosity, and quiet wonder. I want people to leave a performance feeling more connected to the friends and colleagues they shared the experience with. I want them to be more curious about the potential of their own minds. I want to give them a memory of a shared, positive moment that they can carry with them. The influence, therefore, is not used to take something from them (like their sense of certainty), but to give them something far more valuable: a new perspective.

The True Nature of Influence

Influence is not a weapon to be wielded, but a dance to be shared. It is a two-way street, a delicate interplay between performer and audience, built on a foundation of trust and a shared desire to create a moment of elegant impossibility. When handled with care and respect, it is a powerful tool for connection.

True influence isn’t about controlling minds. It’s about opening them.

Internal Links: Spectator as Hero: You’re the Real Magic, Beyond Belief: How What You Expect Shapes What You Experience

External Link: A great article on ethical leadership from the Harvard Business Review