I think the term "jerk" is underspecified in these types of conversations. The "competent jerks" in the minds of the "pro competent jerk" people are not the same that the "anti competent jerk" people are thinking of. I suspect these groups would agree in many cases on whether to keep someone who is competent but excessively blunt (without malice), and whether to fire someone who is competent but tears down their coworkers with political games. Both of those people might fall under the heading of "jerk", making it too broad a category to base sweeping predetermined choices on.
