His brusque manner when doorstepped was due to irritation that his 'worst fears were being confirmed', but were seen at the time as an admission of guilt.

During the presidential campaign, however, his brusque manner triggered controversy.

However, a brusque manner and a contempt for bureaucracy led to an uneasy relationship with management.

His relationships with his colleagues are tentative; they are alternately amazed by his intellect and frustrated by his brusque manner and aggressive tactics.

However, although he could be amusing company off duty, as he rose the career ladder his brusque manner, possibly adopted to assert his authority, became more marked, even with superiors.