[happywolf]

I kind of agree this strategy, but do note I am not looking at being cheap. My people are paid well above market rate, the point is I need execution and work done, there is a limit on how out-of-box and creative an employee should be. One can question the technical solution or even the business model, but after a decision is made by the business owner, execution must be done instead of incessant arguing over the merits and demerits of such decision.

As such, I tend to hire those who don't take oneself too seriously. The OP's redflags I feel are corollary to this observation.

Be humble and get shit done.