[@Wick]

Well, the ability to nudge others is planned to be further in the future. After he can stop well, hearing others at will, and also I forgot to mention. With his telepathy, when he first learns, he'll have issues with "leaking" his thoughts to others. 

As for nudging, I'm thinking it will be hard to successfully nudge others. Too much and they'll know someone is messing with their mind and put their guards up. Too little, and it has very little effect. Too much can also result in people getting angry and threatening and well, if people know who's screwing with their heads, they're going to go for that person. 

If he does it wrong as well, it won't sound like their own thoughts, and that's another way people can realize someone is trying to manipulate their minds. He'd basically have to match the nudge to the person. The wrong type of nudge will put someone's guard up, or make them behave differently than he wants. 

By nudge of course, I'm referring to small thoughts added in to try to lead someone's thoughts in the direction he wants. Like a tiny doubtful thought etc.

The unsociable Robert would definitely require a delicate touch. Admittedly, the fact that he could hear thoughts would be an advantage for that.

It's a potential liability, that could make for some interesting hijinks or turn a bad situation into a worse one.

I was thinking that from the beginning, he has the potential to do all those things, but he doesn't know how to control it or use it and isn't aware of the other facets of his power. He doesn't have someone to teach him there might be more, and he's also so confused by all the voices in his head that he isn't able to realize the other facets of his power. 

Also, his power is there, but his mind/mental strength isn't enough to use some of the aspects of his power and use of his power will drain him until he practices more. (Grows more efficient/experienced + increases his mental strength and willpower). Step one, however, is definitely getting the voices in his head to stop.