Can someone explain why sometimes you make a "direct object" do something and other times an "indirect object"?  Examples:

Je le fais asseoir à côté de moi (direct object) - I make him sit next to me

Je lui fais sortir la poubelle (indirect) - I make him take out the garbage

Elle lui fait cueillir les fleurs (indirect) - She makes him pick the flowers

There has to be a unifying rule that explains this distinction.  Any help is much appreciated.  Thanks.