In this episode of Workplace Weirdness, Maya Kadar Kovalsky sits down with Laura Close, Co-founder of AI workforce data platform, Included,  to unpack how AI is changing hiring, career strategy, and what it really means to stay ready for what’s next. They also dig into what work looks like when middle management is shrinking, promotions keep going to external hires, and employees are stuck navigating misleading job descriptions and ethical pressure from leadership. Laura shares her blunt take on the modern labor market, why the employer loyalty contract is dead, and why more workers need to think strategically about leaving rather than waiting around for a company to suddenly do right by them. The conversation also explores how senior leaders can position themselves in an AI-driven job market, what to do when your role turns out to be completely different from what was promised, and how to handle workplace situations that cross an ethical line. This episode is a brutally honest look at promotions, workplace power, AI, and career survival when the rules of work are changing fast.

In this episode:

[00:00:10] Introduction to Workplace Weirdness: Host Maya Kawalski introduces the show’s focus on office drama and “weird” situations.

[00:00:45] Guest Introduction: Maya introduces Laura Close, an entrepreneur, executive advisor, and co-founder of the AI platform Included.

[00:01:25] The Origin of Included: Laura explains how she used AI to solve “precision data questions” and eliminate reporting bottlenecks for HR leaders.

[00:02:15] The “Zero Body Fat” Era: Laura describes the current labor market as a lean, athletic, and agile era where candidates must be self-reliant.

[00:02:40] Extended Job Search Timelines: Laura notes that senior leader searches have shifted from 4 months in 2015 to roughly 12 to 18 months today.

[00:03:15] Marketing Yourself Now: Advice on revamping resumes to focus on “owning and building systems” rather than general leadership or “soft” metrics.

[00:04:45] AI Literacy and Certifications: A discussion on why no one is “AI native” yet and how to select certifications based on brand recognition and price.

[00:08:50] The Weirdest Workplace Moment: Laura shares a story about a manager who loved pranking others but failed to acknowledge her own birthday, highlighting the “taker” vs. “giver” dynamic.

[00:11:00] The Week in Work: Shrinking Middle Management: Analysis of companies cutting middle managers in favor of AI and efficiency, and advice for those affected to consider starting their own businesses.

[00:14:40] Question 1: The External Hire Loop: A listener asks what to do when their company promotes external candidates over qualified internal ones. Laura’s blunt advice: “You have to leave the company”.

[00:18:15] Question 2: The “Strategic” Admin Job: A listener is stuck doing admin work despite a high-level job title. Laura suggests networking with peers and using tools like Codex to automate tasks and build a new skillset.

[00:22:35] Question 3: Ethical Dilemmas in Sales: A listener is asked to lie to clients to hit targets. Laura advises never compromising ethics and suggests using diplomacy rather than internal reporting channels, which she views as “fragile”.

[00:26:30] Final Thoughts and Contact Info: Laura shares her website (closecohen.com) and Maya wraps up the episode

Resources and Links:

Laura Close

· Website: closecohen.com

· LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/closelaura/

Maya Kadar Kovalsky

·     LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mayakadar/

Workplace Weirdness

·         Email: [email protected]

·         Website: workplace-weirdness.com

·         Instagram: @workplaceweirdpod

Disclaimer: The content of this podcast is intended for entertainment purposes only and should not be construed as professional, legal, or workplace-specific advice. Listeners are encouraged to seek guidance from qualified professionals for their individual situations.