Paul,
You wrote something that really struck a chord with me - what Sid said after the incident:

 "Why, that’s what I expect of someone in your position. You’re the department head and you should be able to speak your mind"

How many Leaders are walking around with that same mindset - they feel entitled to act that way because they are in that position.   And how many staff walk around feeling as you felt that day - that the outburst was wrong and demoralizing.

It's no wonder we have such a high disengaged workforce.

Thank you for a great read,

Bill