When you are in charge, albeit of a company,  organization or just an general undertaking, your style of management can be firm, gentle or all points in-between.

What you are managing should influence how you administer your power.  The impact of your directions, leveraging both your granted and earned power, depend very much on technique.  Your approach should match the objectives.

Firm Management

Strong Leadership can be Gentle

Kind,amiable, soft and delicate are key descriptors of those that practice gentle management.   This style can translate to strong leadership, firm management is not necessary to be a strong leader.

Most often some combination of firm and gentle approaches works best, the most important factor is demonstrating care and consideration for others and particularly addressing their needs.

Whether practicing a firm or gentle style or some hybrid the most important thing to remember is it’s not about you, at all.  Both other people and the their goals in context of the greater objective needs to be the focus.