Sometimes I have to be firm, but rarely I do I have to get confrontational. I lead by building upon the strengths of my staff, and I can usually implement my ideas via persuasion and manipulation. I can be as charming as I am bitchy. :)
Hah! Not a bad analogy.
The vice president sees under mysurface, a bit. She's remarked how strange it is that I never cry, and has pointed out that I can be "a bit harsh, at times".
The last time I went to an amusement park with her I insisted upon riding something called the catapult, openly snickered at and revelled in her panic attack, and shocked everyone by calling the experience "smooth and relaxing" thereafter. (It really was- in spite of the fact that my ear started bleeding :p) Then I almost got into a fight with some rude little ditz who tried to cut in on us in line. She hasn't quite looked at me the same way since then. :p