My first impression of Ben Breier's discussion about Kindred Healthcare was one of relative uneasiness - he was bold to state that people who did not fit his company's desired characteristics are better off not working there. In today's work environment we tend to want to please the majority, and thus are soft in our demands of others. Ben Breier knows that this approach will not produce a company work ethic that is up to his standards. Thus, he is firm and communicative in what they expect of employees, which is a direct and effective approach to not only recruit qualified people but also motivate those already within that company to maintain the expected standards.
I agree! I think that we are not used to organizations being so upfront about what they want in an employee because they aim to attract people by seeming kind, but sometimes that's not what we need. I feel that being straightforward without being abrasive is a characteristic more people should adopt because having this characteristic allows things to get accomplished in a more timely manner. Being straightforward with people also expresses that you care enough to be real and results in mutual respect.