Overly assertive bosses can be seen as bullying and overbearing. But, bosses who tend to hold back may be considered wimps. Good bosses find a balance between the two. This doesn’t mean you should try to be moderately assertive all the time. Instead, be prepared to use both approaches in different situations.

Your food truck staff may need you to challenge them to accomplish a particularly tough goal. Or you may need to be more passive to let them step up. Be flexible. Use your emotional intelligence to determine when being assertive will be motivating rather than stifling, and laying low will be appropriate rather than discouraging.