big stick

acumen competence guile quickness savvy skill sophistication subtlety tact

adeptness adroitness artfulness artifice bluff cleverness con craft craftiness cunning delicacy diplomacy discernment discretion feint gimmick polish racket ruse savoir-faire stratagem trick wile

grift runaround

ignorance inability incapability ineptness

frankness honesty openness stupidity truthfulness

firm hand iron boot iron hand strong hand tight rein tight ship

control firm hand grip heavy hand high hand iron boot iron fist iron rule jackboot mailed fist strong hand tight grasp tight hand tight rein tight ship