Yes I realise sop's must be in place and strict adherence to them is "required" but on the down side it does produce a robotic culture.
SOPs are not about robotic culture, but about repeatable process management.
Therefore, when the situation is normal, you follow the process, because that is the most efficient and safe approach.
When the situation is abnormal, one uses judgment to take the most appropriate action.
One of the challenges in recruiting and retaining the best airline pilots is the paradox that you need highly intelligent people with the self discipline to follow the SOPs day in, day out, but who are also capable of calm, creative problem solving, with very high levels of situational judgment when required.
I think that this is largely misunderstood by many people.
Maximum gives a good insight in saying
Most of those I would trust my life to are fairly quiet, stable individuals.
I would add to that "capable of smooth and sustained team work."
If one analyses the safety records of commercial air transport in the last 60 years, the effects of better equipment and the development of SOPs as a way of managing the flight are self evident.