Human Leverage Tradecraft

Understanding how to recruit, manipulate, and influence individuals is one of the most essential skill sets an operative can develop. This intel covers the fundamentals of human leverage as practiced in intelligence operations, from one-time applications to managing long-term assets.

People will betray anything – country, family, honor, themselves – if the right button is pushed. The trick is to find the button.

While this ability is critical for covert operatives, it’s also applicable in “normal” life – whether you’re negotiating a deal, managing personnel, dealing with difficult people or simply reading people better for strategic purposes.

        HUMAN LEVERAGE

Influencing people is about understanding what drives them. Every person has motivations, fears, and weaknesses. Some wear them on their sleeve, while others guard them carefully. Operatives learn to see through the surface, recognizing the emotional and psychological forces that dictate behavior.

The right leverage can turn an enemy into an ally, a bystander into an asset, or a threat into a tool. But leverage isn’t just about manipulation – it’s about control. Holding leverage in a relationship dictates the outcome.

Leverage in intelligence means identifying what makes a person tick, their vulnerabilities and incentives – the key is knowing which ones to exploit.

‘MICE’ Motivation Categories

• Money:   The most common motivator. Some people will do almost anything for financial security.

• Ideology:   A belief system, whether political, religious, or ethical, can be a powerful lever.

• Coercion/Compromise:   Blackmail, threats, or exploiting a mistake can be used to force cooperation.

• Ego/Excitement:   Some people crave power, respect, or simply the thrill of being involved in something clandestine.

No two individuals or targets are the same, so an operative must assess multiple angles before applying pressure. Understanding human leverage isn’t just about knowing what buttons to push – it’s about applying pressure in the right way, at the right time.

A person’s vulnerabilities may shift over time, and an effective operative constantly reassesses their target’s emotional and psychological state. Too much pressure, and they resist. Too little, and they don’t commit.

The art of leverage is finding that balance, shaping a person’s decisions without them fully realizing they’re being controlled.

        I.   IDENTIFYING / ASSESSING TARGETS

Before you can apply leverage, you need to identify the right target. Not everyone is susceptible to manipulation, and even those who are may not be worth the effort. The best targets have a combination of access, vulnerabilities, and motivation – they hold valuable information or influence, have weaknesses that can be exploited, and possess a reason to cooperate.

A skilled operative doesn’t just look for people with problems but rather those with problems that can be turned into opportunities.

Targeting Characteristics

Choosing the right target is about more than just finding weaknesses; it’s about understanding who is likely to break and how. Some individuals can withstand enormous pressure, while others fold at the first sign of stress.

A good operative doesn’t waste time on the unbreakable – they focus on those who are already cracking under the weight of their own circumstances.

        II.   APPLYING LEVERAGE

Once you’ve identified a person’s vulnerabilities, the next step is applying leverage to gain influence over them. This process isn’t about immediate pressure or overt threats – it’s about gradual manipulation, making the target believe they are making their own choices while guiding them toward the desired outcome.

A well-executed recruitment takes time, often involving multiple stages of trust-building, subtle persuasion, and, if necessary, controlled coercion. The goal is to create a situation where the target sees cooperation as the best (or only) option available to them.

The Soft Approach: Incentives and Grooming

The best operatives rarely rely on threats or blackmail as their primary tools. A well-managed asset should feel like they’re making their own choices, even when every step has been carefully guided.

The soft approach is about building trust, dependency, and a sense of mutual benefit – making cooperation feel natural, even rewarding. This method is especially effective in long-term operations where an asset needs to remain loyal, discreet, and willing.

When done correctly, the target won’t see themselves as being manipulated at all; instead, they’ll believe they’re simply acting in their own best interest.

Subtle reinforcement plays a crucial role in this process. A well-placed compliment, an occasional favor, or a shared grievance can shape a target’s perception of the relationship. The goal is to create an environment where they trust you more than their own judgment.

Over time, they become psychologically invested – making it far more difficult for them to walk away. When an asset believes they’re acting of their own volition, they’re not just cooperative – they’re loyal.

The Hard Approach: Coercion and Compromise

While persuasion is always preferable, there are times when a more forceful approach is necessary. Some targets won’t respond to incentives, either because they’re too loyal, too cautious, or simply not motivated by the usual levers. In these cases, operatives turn to coercion – applying pressure through fear, manipulation, or direct threats.

The goal isn’t just to force compliance but to create a situation where the target sees cooperation as their least bad option. If done correctly, coercion doesn’t feel like a choice at all – it feels inevitable.

Coercion must be carefully calibrated. Too much pressure, and the target may become desperate, confess, or take countermeasures. Too little, and they may resist or delay compliance. A skilled operative applies just enough force to make resistance feel futile but not enough to make the target reckless.

The best coercion operations don’t just rely on threats – they introduce a sense of inevitability, where the target believes they have no way out except cooperation.

Leverage Maintenance

Once leverage is applied, it must be maintained. A target who feels trapped will always look for an escape. That’s why coercion works best when paired with incentives – mixing fear with small rewards to create a cycle of compliance.

The ultimate goal isn’t just to control a person’s actions, but to make them rationalize their own cooperation, convincing themselves that they’re making the best choice available. When that happens, coercion is no longer needed; they’ve become a self-sustaining asset.

A skilled operative rarely relies on a single method. The best leverage operations blend persuasion with pressure, creating a situation where the target feels trapped but also somewhat willing.

The most effective leverage isn’t about force – it’s about making compliance feel like the natural choice. If a target believes they are acting out of their own free will, they are far less likely to resist or betray the operative later.

Whether through incentives or pressure, the key is to control the psychological environment so thoroughly that the target views their cooperation as inevitable.

        III.   ASSET MANAGEMENT

Recruiting an asset is only the first step – true operational success depends on long-term control. A well-managed asset provides reliable intelligence, remains loyal, and doesn’t become a security risk. However, people are unpredictable. Fear, guilt, greed, or even personal circumstances can make an asset unstable.

The key to asset management is balancing pressure and reassurance, ensuring they stay cooperative without feeling trapped or expendable. Poor handling can lead to defection, betrayal, or an asset turning into an adversary.

Asset Handling Strategies

Over time, the goal is to make the asset self-sustaining – where they no longer need constant guidance or pressure to continue cooperating. A well-run operation ensures the asset believes they are acting in their own best interest, even when they’re serving yours.

Operatives don’t just control; they shape their perception of reality so they remain useful, compliant, and unaware of the full extent of their manipulation.

        COUNTERING LEVERAGE

Leverage is a two-way street. The same tactics used to manipulate others can just as easily be used against you. Intelligence agencies, corporate competitors, criminal organizations, and even manipulative individuals in your personal life all employ forms of human leverage.

The best defense is awareness – knowing when you’re being targeted and taking proactive steps to neutralize an adversary’s control before it tightens. Many people fall victim to manipulation simply because they don’t recognize it happening until it’s too late.

Signs Someone Is Trying to Leverage You

• Unusual Flattery or Attention:   If someone suddenly takes an intense interest in your opinions, background, or personal struggles, they might be probing for weaknesses.

• Leading Questions:   Casual conversation that subtly extracts information about your job, finances, or personal life.

• Favor Testing:   Small, seemingly harmless favors can escalate into larger obligations.

• Compromising Situations:   If someone encourages risky behavior (gambling, affairs, financial indiscretions), they might be setting you up for blackmail.

If you suspect someone is trying to leverage you, shut down communication, document interactions, and create an alternative narrative to disrupt their control.

Proactive Countermeasures

Defense against leverage is about self-awareness and strategic control. If you understand what someone wants from you and why, you can deny them the ability to exploit it. A person without leverage is a person who can’t be controlled. In intelligence, as in life, the best way to win the game is to make sure no one else is holding the pieces that control you.

Human leverage is one of the most powerful tools of tradecraft. It’s not just about blackmail or bribery – it’s about understanding people deeply enough to predict and influence their behavior as you see fit.

//   A man who feels trapped will resist. A man who thinks he’s choosing will comply.