The Situation Never Speaks
A well-known surgeon was asked about his reputation for harsh and critical words for the teams that assisted his work in the operating room. These eruptions often occurred at critical moments when his instructions and actions depended on everyone executing flawlessly. The surgeon replied, “Everyone knows that’s not me speaking. That’s the situation speaking.”
Leaders too often excuse poor behavior by claiming that the situation demands it from them. The truth is that the situation never speaks. Leaders do. When leaders direct criticisms and demeaning remarks toward others during execution, the result is less, not more.
None of us performs better when leaders distract us with their barbs and strident words. The more likely result is for others to become paralyzed by the fear of making a mistake, thereby inciting more tongue lashing. More importantly, we expect those insults next time, which prepares us to brace and defend ourselves, not focus on the actions we need to excel.
Attributing our behavior to the circumstances or situations we confront is an easy out to excuse bad behavior. The best leaders steadfastly refuse to allow situations to dictate the style in which they engage others. Respect and trust can be expressed in any situation — unless you believe people are tools, not peers and colleagues.
If "the situation" was speaking when someone's life and/or health was on the line, it would have a calm, controlled, and assuring tenor. Any leader that wants to get the best out of their staff will treat them in a way that'll get the desired level of performance, not throw marbles under their feet.
If this surgeon worked at a place with a "no asshole" policy, he'd be gone. That he's still there and allowed to abuse the staff is a sign of weak leadership on the part of the hospital administration.
As a proponent of Situational Leadership, SLII to be specific, I would modify the statement, "The best leaders steadfastly refuse to allow situations to dictate the style in which they engage others." Bad behavior is never appropriate but different situations often require different leadership styles. It is critical that leaders engage others with different styles depending on the situation... in an appropriate and respectful way, of course.