I have high expectations, and my students know that. However, I also see them as humans, not homework-producing machines. I think every teacher with a reflective personality strives to ensure that they aren't embodying the cliche "ruler of the classroom" mantra and, rather, tries their best to engage in the experiences within the classroom as a mutual learner.
We have fun, but we cover our content in depth as we strive to connect it to the real world.