Antonyms for "gets tough with" could include being lenient, forgiving, friendly, understanding, patient, gentle, kind, or compassionate. Instead of using aggressive or forceful tactics to handle a situation, a person could aim to be diplomatic, cooperative, flexible, or even-tempered. Choosing to empathize with others and their perspectives can lead to more positive outcomes than simply imposing one's will on the situation. However, it's important to recognize that different circumstances may call for different approaches, and sometimes being firm or assertive is necessary to achieve a desired result. Ultimately, the choice of how to handle a situation should depend on the needs of all parties involved.