We admire confidence. Vision. The power to inspire action. From boardrooms to newsrooms, we’re often told that great leaders “shape the narrative,” “control the message,” and “move the masses.” It’s an impressive skill—when used wisely. After all, isn’t it a mark of influence to be able to rally people to a cause?

But when does persuasion become manipulation? When does the narrative stop being inspiring, and become dangerous? 

Consider This

In the lead-up to the Spanish-American War in 1898, newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst saw an opportunity—not just for journalism, but for empire-building, readership growth, and his own power. When artist Frederic Remington, sent to sketch scenes of conflict, reported that conditions in Havana were calm and not newsworthy, Hearst famously replied: “You furnish the pictures, and I’ll furnish the war.”

What followed was a storm of sensationalized headlines and dramatic (often fabricated) stories that inflamed public sentiment and helped push the U.S. into war. The facts didn’t matter nearly as much as the feelings—and Hearst knew how to fan them.

His influence helped turn public opinion in favor of intervention, and while it sold millions of papers, it also cost thousands of lives. 

Putting it into Play

In today’s attention economy, we’re bombarded by influencers, algorithms, and messages designed to inflame us. Truth is a casualty when our attention is the currency. 

But Hearst’s story is a cautionary tale: just because you can sway people doesn’t mean you should—especially if the facts are fuzzy or the motive is self-serving. In a position of power, you have influence. What you say sways. So whether you’re leading a team, managing a message, or simply sharing a story, it’s important to ask yourself: Am I informing or inflaming? Do I really know, or am I advocating for something that serves me? Am I clarifying or just controlling?

The truth may be less convenient than fiction, but in a world where anyone can “furnish the war,” the most courageous act may be stepping back to verify before you amplify.