"Fierce, not furious"

Two leaders can sound almost the same.
Firm tone.
Sharp words.
Clear boundaries.

But the difference is everything.

One is angry, lashing out, venting frustration, making it personal.
The other is fierce, direct, unwavering, but acting with clarity and care.

From the outside, they can look similar. But here’s the test:

• Anger wants to punish. Fierce clarity wants to protect.
• Anger says, “I’ve had enough.” Fierce clarity says, “This can’t continue because it harms the team.”
• Anger clouds judgment. Fierce clarity cuts through confusion.

At work, this shows up in small but vital moments.

• Anger: “I can’t believe you messed this up again.”
• Fierce clarity: “This mistake is serious. We need to slow down and understand how to prevent it.”

Both are uncomfortable to hear. But one burns trust, the other builds it.

Don’t confuse fierceness with anger. Anger is about you. Fierceness is about the work, the team, and protecting what matters.

When you’ve had to be firm with someone recently, were you acting from frustration, or from care?

Until next time,
Dermot
The Messy Middle.

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