Soft Hand in an Iron Glove

Leadership often gets mistaken for force.

Toughness. Relentless drive.

But true strength comes from knowing when to be firm; and, when to show care.

An iron glove is needed to protect. To stay strong.

But without the soft hand, it’s just armour. Cold, rigid, distant. And soulless.

A while ago, we were hard at work aligning the entire team with a bold, ambitious vision. The soft hand came into play when we spent time making sure everyone believed in the vision. We didn’t rush people to fall in line. We made sure each person understood their place in that vision, felt heard, and felt that it was something they could embrace.

But the iron glove? That’s where the high standards came in. We knew we couldn’t compromise on the quality of what we delivered. We had to hold ourselves accountable to our customers. And sometimes, we had to make tough decisions. We had to let watch from the sidelines because they didn’t align with the vision we were chasing. It wasn’t easy, but it was necessary; to protect the mission and keep the team focused on what mattered most.

The best leaders aren’t the loudest or the most aggressive.

They’re the ones who know when to hold tight and when to let go.

They make hard calls without crushing spirits. They challenge without humiliating.

That’s where strength lies. In knowing how to be gentle when the situation demands it. How to push without breaking. How to hold steady without holding back.

The iron glove keeps the mission safe, but it’s the soft hand that brings people with you.