When Steve Jobs isn't happy, he really isn't happy (opens in new tab)

That's been Steve's managerial style since he started Apple. I'm worried that once he is no longer able to come back(I think the current medical leave is temporary) that Apple will become a "good enough" company. People tolerate Steve berating them because of his charisma and I am not sure that Tim Cook will be able to get away with what Steve can.

IMO it is essential for Jobs to do that in order to demand high quality and perfection. It is better to say things like that in the face of people rather than to smoothen the communication and then let them go or move them to different projects without explaining why. I would absolutely do the same thing in his shoes. It is the fastest possible way to get the message across. Now, this may be unpleasant and he may indeed show some lack of balance of temper but it may very well be on purpose. This is of course speculation on my part since I haven't met the guy and I have not worked for Apple.

When I read what Jobs' is reported to have said my first thought was the song Stan by Eminem. I don't know why but the tone just struck me a very similar.