Some of my old union buddies thought of me as a counter firebrand. I once had a group inform me before one union meeting what would happen to me if I spoke out against striking. I believed them; I kept my mouth shut.
But I doubt that I've ever been much of a catalyst either, though there may have been a few minor achievements...
Counter firebrand? A calmer downer. Mediator. Fixer upper. Diplomat. That is a very good thing to be. I guess there are enough firebrands around. We don't need any more. It's the ameliorators we lack. Thank you for your reply Didge and Happy Thursday! :)