[sethammons]

Working with those "whom [you] wouldn't invite for coffee" ... I think you may have an incomplete take on the charitable view of that statement. I don't think it is inherently toxic. I view it as working with those you can have a pleasant interaction with. A cohesive workforce, especially in a smaller group, is a boon to productivity and enjoyment. If you have to spend the majority of your day interacting with someone who you couldn't even get through a casual sit down with, that sounds like hell.

[malvosenior]

Being able to work effectively with anyone who acts professional is a much larger boon to productivity. There should be no social vetting of candidates, as long as they are skilled and act professionally, that's enough.

Would you want to go to coffee with someone who was staunchly in support of the opposite of your politics (be honest)? What if that person was a great coder and very professional? You're working with them, so the only thing that needs to be judged is if they can do that effectively.