Assertiveness

I can be ruthless and cold and calculating - but not manipulative in a bad sense. Most people accurately descirbe me as a really kind, honest and loving person (which I am). I am by no means a sociopath (far from it).
However, my sister acknowledges that at the same time as being a highly emotionally intellligent being, I am able to logically identify when things are not sutiable and make decisions and take methodical steps to rectify the situation onto a path that is more suitable. This can sometimes seem cold or ruthless but really it is assertive behviour that comes from respecting myself deeply. I don't think long vague explanations are that useful without examples. Examples of the above are when I have been controlled by a partner and have had to remove myself from that situation despite their threatening behaviour, or when i have a friend who holds me back or actually hampers my progress in life or simply my freedown to be who I need to be at any one time; so I extricate myself from that friendship (usually by reducing contact slowly). For relationships its much easier to extricate oneself than with friendships; as friendships demand much less compatibility.