[user837387]

No, if the employee keeps not reaching his potential then it is right to call him out on this. Do this only if the employee is not carrying his own weight when you know he is capable of more, otherwise just fire him. Of course, if your manager is being an abusive asshole then leave to another company.

Also, if you have to do this more than once then just fire the guy.

I agree, never take abuse from anybody.

[overcast]

Sitting someone down personally, and explaining the situation with respect. Is a lot different then screaming at someone, telling them they are the single point of failure, swearing and calling them out in front of their peers.

[erikpukinskis]

You're fighting back even though you seem to agree with user837387. In order to facilitate continuing to argue, you seem to be shifting the goalposts so that you can continue flagging the behavior as bad behavior:

OP said: "looked at you and very directly said in a very loud and stern voice"

Your edit: "screaming at someone, swearing and calling them out in front of their peers"

[zeveb]

Of course, there's a place for calling someone out in front of his peers, too. Part of the art of leadership is to do that when necessary (because if not, one's failing to do what's necessary), but only when necessary.

[user837387]

I know what you are saying, but reality is reality. He was an asshole to everybody. I don't like assholes but he definitely got things done.

[overcast]

He got things done, because he actually knew what he was doing, but happened to be an asshole. For every one of those, there is a million other assholes that will sink the ship.