I have heard such a story about Kuibyshev. Other party boss (I don’t remember)

Whoever is in the presence of his subordinate. when

Zhdanov finally shouted and expelled the subordinate, Kuibyshev noticed that

It could also be softer.

- The leader should have a strong character, - objected Zhdanov.

To which Kuibyshev said literally the following:

Character - he is like a fox, the harder, the better. But character, like the fox,

Not to show everyone.



http://proza.ru/texts/2008/04/09/120.html