Today it seems that every piece of evidence supports kinder and gentler parenting, a more cooperative workplace and a stress free education that supports deeper learning.  Tiger moms, and Tiger teachers and the excessively tough boss seem to be interesting, but outliers.

But are we missing something?  Does it have to be a zero sum game? Can the tough taskmaster, the dispenser of tough love teach out something about persistence, character, and resiliency that will serve us well later in life?

Joanne Lipman thinks so.  The former editor and chief of Portfolio Magazine, and former Deputy Managing Editor of the Wall Street Journal, is the co-author of Strings Attached: One Tough Teacher and the Gift of Great Expectations.

My conversation with Joanne Lipman: