In this episode of Workplace Weirdness, host Maya Kadar Kovalsky chats with Garry Ridge, former CEO of WD-40, about leadership, learning from failure, and why “dumbassery” might just be the secret ingredient to great leadership. Gary explains how embracing vulnerability, admitting you don’t have all the answers, and messing up a few times along the way can actually make you a stronger leader.

Gary opens up about his time at WD-40, the iconic blue-and-yellow can that’s been fixing squeaky hinges and rusting parts for decades. He explains how building a culture of learning and being okay with failure helped the company thrive. They also tackle listener questions about navigating awkward workplace situations, like surviving a gratitude circle after layoffs, handling the micromanagement label, and escaping an unexpected weekend shift at a trampoline park.

Tune in, you might just look at leadership a little differently after this one.

Key Takeaways

In This Episode

[01:01] Meet Garry Ridge

[02:59] Why “Dumbassery” Is a Leadership Superpower

[07:25] Coach vs. Manager: What’s the Difference?

[09:18] Turning Mistakes into Learning Moments at WD-40

[16:01] Weirdest Workplace Moments

[19:01] Week in Work: Why Fear-Based Leadership Backfires

[26:01] Listener Question #1: Navigating Gratitude Circles After Layoffs

[33:12] Listener Question #2: Micromanagement Feedback and How to Handle It

[39:01] Cringeworthy Question: How to Decline an Unwanted Social Invitation

[44:27] Wrap-Up and Final Thoughts

Notable Quotes

[03:26] “ Admitting you're wrong and saying you don’t know is actually a superpower.” — Garry Ridge

[06:14] “ Success in business is not you being the smartest person in the room. It's you being in a room bringing out the smarts of everybody else. And once you expose yourself and display vulnerability, everybody else relaxes and suddenly you get an enormous amount of brain strength that comes out in the room.” — Garry Ridge

[20:27 “ If leaders think that building a fear-based culture where people want to escape from their workplace instead of escape to it, they have a wake up call coming for them.” — Garry Ridge

[34:17] “When your team calls you a micromanager, that’s feedback, not a defense.” — Garry Ridge

Garry Ridge

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/garryridge

The Learning Moment - https://thelearningmoment.net/

Maya Kadar Kovalsky

Website - https://www.mayakadar.com/

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

Workplace Weirdness

Email: [email protected]

SpeakPipe - http://speakpipe.com/workplaceweirdness

Website - http://workplace-weirdness.com

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/workplaceweirdpod/

What does neuroscience have to do with leadership? How do you pivot from frog dissections to Fortune 500 boardrooms? And what do you do when your boss says you’re "great behind closed doors"... and not in a good way?

In this episode of Workplace Weirdness, host Maya Kadar Kovalsky is joined by the ever-dynamic Meredith Haberfeld, CEO of ThinkHuman and longtime advisor to companies like Spotify, SoulCycle, and Goldman Sachs. Meredith takes us on her wild journey from whitewater rafting guide to one of the most trusted names in executive coaching. And yes, there are weird workplace moments aplenty.

Together, they unpack everything from awkward culture faux pas and executive presence mishaps to burned-out CEOs, dueling project management systems, and what to do when you accidentally "like" your boss’s shirtless Instagram post from 2017. (Spoiler: Don’t panic.)

Key Takeaways

In This Episode

[00:00] Introduction to Meredith Haberfeld

[04:19] Developing Executive Presence

[10:35] ThinkHuman: Finding the Right Fit

[13:18] Weirdest Workplace Moments: Boss calls her a "banger behind closed doors"

[16:13] The Week in Work: CEO Exodus

[23:01] Listener Question #1: Dueling Project Management Systems

[30:22] Listener Question #2: Outsourced Team Challenges

[36:50] Cringeworthy Question: Accidentally Liked My Boss’ Old Swim Selfie!

[40:35] Closing Remarks and Credits

Notable Quotes

[06:01] - “ I can take things on that I feel totally not equipped to do, and if I just relentlessly go for it, I eventually will be able to do it.” - Meredith Haberfeld

[09:11] - “ Sometimes women more than men might struggle with how to modulate their persona into a presence that can be taken seriously.” - Maya Kadar Kovalsky

[13:36] - “ In the startup world, for anybody who works in it, you end up with more in places you don't belong in a good way, 'cause you're like, all right, well we're a small team trying to build something, and here I am.” - Meredith Haberfeld

[19:41] - “ I really think leading is an incredible privilege. So if somebody is called to that and feels inspired toward that, hold it with the level of care that it deserves.” - Meredith Haberfeld

[27:52] - “ I think that the idea of purely digital written communication in a virtual or hybrid environment is just a fail.” - Meredith Haberfeld

Resources and Links

Meredith Haberfeld

Website - https://www.meredithhaberfeld.com/

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/meredith-haberfeld-she-her-29aa7a5

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/thinkhumankind/

ThinkHuman Website - https://think-human.com/

Maya Kadar Kovalsky

Website - https://www.mayakadar.com/

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

Workplace Weirdness

Email: [email protected]

SpeakPipe - http://speakpipe.com/workplaceweirdness

Website - http://workplace-weirdness.com

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/workplaceweirdpod/

Ever wondered what happens when you trade agency ownership for creative leadership? 

In this episode of Workplace Weirdness, host Maya Kadar Kovalsky sits down with Paul McDowall, brand architect, former agency owner & co-founder of ClarkMcDowall, to discuss his unconventional career journey from Liverpool to New York and his transition into leadership at Vault49.

Paul shares insights from decades in branding, touching on the challenges of staying culturally relevant without losing brand identity. He opens up about the personal and professional growth that comes from letting go of ego, embracing new roles, and learning from failure.

They also explore how to navigate tricky workplace dynamics, including handling conflicting feedback from leadership, weighing the pros and cons of moving into consulting, and recovering gracefully from Zoom call blunders.

Tune in to hear reflections on leadership, resilience, and the joy of embracing the weirdness in the workplace!

Key Takeaways

You don’t have to lead to lead: A creative life can thrive without the title.

Ego can be a culture killer; humility and humanity build stronger teams.

Your brand’s future is written in its past... Go back to the DNA.

Flexibility and authenticity are driving today’s shift toward small consultancies.

If you’re stuck between bosses, don’t pick sides: document, clarify, and protect yourself.

In This Episode:

[00:00] Introduction to Paul McDowall

[02:18] Paul’s journey in the creative world

[06:00] Lessons from running a business

[09:10] The transition from boss to peer

[13:29] Paul’s weirdest workplace moment

[17:29] Week in Work: Un-bossing yourself

[20:32] Freelancer vs. consultant lifestyle

[21:09] Flexibility and challenges of small agencies

[21:36] Massive shifts in the industry

[23:34] Navigating conflicting bosses

[23:45] Creating supportive workplaces in education

[25:14 ] Listener Question #1: Stuck between feuding bosses

[30:31] Listener Question #2: Consulting as a career pivot

[36:09] Cringeworthy Question: Job hunting caught on Zoom

[39:24] Final thoughts and farewell

Notable Quotes

[03:02] “You can leave Liverpool, but Liverpool never leaves you.” — Paul McDowall

[06:24] “Fear is the biggest thing that holds us back.” — Paul McDowall

[07:17] “ Define your authentic self, your own tone of voice. That takes away a lot of the pressure.” — Paul McDowall

[08:40] “Ego silos us and it destroys culture.” — Paul McDowall

[11:43] “Gut instinct is there for a reason. It's why we think with our stomachs.” — Paul McDowall

[12:06] “For a brand to survive, you need to survive in culture.” — Paul McDowall

[18:05] “ For many managers who wanna un-boss themselves, letting go of management responsibilities can also be a little bit psychologically challenging.” — Maya Kadar Kovalsky

[31:47] “The  hardest question in life is ‘what do I want?’”— Paul McDowall

[41:16] “The world doesn't need another asshole. So don't be one.” — Paul McDowall

Resources & Links

Paul McDowall

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/paul-mcdowall-00b0b11

clarkmcdowall - http://www.clarkmcdowall.com

Vault 49 - https://www.vault49.com/

Maya Kadar Kovalsky

Website - https://www.mayakadar.com/

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

Workplace Weirdness

Email: [email protected]

SpeakPipe - http://speakpipe.com/workplaceweirdness

Website - http://workplace-weirdness.com

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/workplaceweirdpod/

Mentioned

WSJC Article:  Can You 'Unboss' Yourself Without Ruining Your Career? 

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.

Meetings often get a bad rap, but did you know they can actually be the cornerstone of a positive workplace culture? In this episode of Workplace Weirdness, host Maya Kadar Kovalsky is joined by Hannah Dubin, founder of The Group Forward and a powerhouse facilitator with a background in camp leadership, corporate consulting, and culture design. Together, they explore what it really takes to lead humans—awkward moments, messy emotions, and all.

Hannah shares how her early work in summer camps shaped her facilitation style and why she believes your meetings reflect your workplace culture more than anything else. Hannah and Maya touch on topics like design thinking, power dynamics, and the importance of emotional intelligence in group settings. They also discuss the role of AI in the workplace and how to foster a culture of experimentation without fueling anxiety.

Key Takeaways

How design thinking helps build smarter solutions—with real human input.

AI adoption isn’t just about tech—it’s reshaping workplace power and pace.

Pitching yourself after a layoff? Package your value. Show, don’t tell.

How to deal with negative workshop feedback (and how to not take it personally).

When pets and professionalism clash—and what your dog’s behavior says about your judgment.

In This Episode:

[00:00] Introduction to Hannah Dubin

[04:10] Getting into facilitation and early inspiration

[07:15] Designing meetings for humans

[08:56] AI’s role in facilitation and experimentation

[10:33] Weirdest workplace moment

[13:47] Power literacy in the workplace

[14:54] Week in Work: AI reshaping the workplace

[26:08] Listener question #1: Edtech career pivot

[32:35] Listener question #2: Handling negative training feedback

[36:55] Cringeworthy question: pet-friendly office mishap

[41:12] Closing thoughts

Notable Quotes

[05:50] “You don’t change the world by telling people what to do. You change the world by asking, “Do you want to explore this question with me, and what do we want?" — Hannah

[07:30] "Your meetings are your culture. Period." — Hannah

[08:22] "How do I want the humans to feel before, during, and after the experience? You might have plowed through and crushed it on goal one, but if everybody feels like crap, then was that worth it?." —Hannah

[18:02] "I’ll tell you the truth. I feel like there is fear around AI, and anything we can do to dissipate that fear, I think, is positive. On the other hand, the fear comes from this end-of-the-world scenario where we think robots are taking over." — Hannah

[24:06] “'I love the idea of teams working together to build something, and I see work as a shared culture toward a positive goal.” — Hannah

[36:27] “You make yourself vulnerable when you stand in front of a room of people, and you’re just going to get better with more practice.” — Maya

Hannah Dubin

The Group Forward - https://www.thegroupforward.com/

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/hannah-feldberg-dubin

Maya Kadar Kovalsky

Website - https://www.mayakadar.com/

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

Workplace Weirdness

Email: [email protected]

SpeakPipe - http://speakpipe.com/workplaceweirdness

Website - http://workplace-weirdness.com

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/workplaceweirdpod/

Mentioned

Forbes Article on AI Reshaping the Workplace - https://www.forbes.com/sites/solrashidi/2025/05/31/ai-is-reshaping-the-work-faster-than-companies-can-upskill/

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.

Ever wondered what it’s really like to run a gym beyond the sweaty workouts and Instagram selfies? In this episode of Workplace Weirdness, host Maya Kadar Kovalsky sits down with Matt Pack, founder of Primal Fit Miami and a fitness pro with 25 years under his belt, to get the unfiltered scoop on fitness entrepreneurship.

Matt shares the wild ride of starting his own gym, from jumping off the college basketball court into exercise science, to facing the scary leap of launching a business. They talk about why building friendships with clients is key, how word-of-mouth can make or break you, and the art of hiring coaches who not only know their stuff but fit the vibe. Plus, Matt weighs in on whether work-life balance in fitness is a myth or a must, and how to find your emotional “why” to keep going.

If you’re dreaming of a career in fitness, thinking about starting your own business or just want to survive the weirdest parts of work life, this episode is packed with real talk and tough lessons you don’t want to miss.

Key Takeaways

How setbacks (like a double knee injury) can become launchpads for reinvention.

The importance of hiring for personality first, skill second in people-focused businesses.

Why trainers are performers—and how knowing a client’s name can make or break retention.

The real cost of scaling too fast—and what Matt would do differently.

How to deal with trainers who poach clients—and the limits of non-competes.

Tips for instructors handling inappropriate client comments while protecting their income.

Why your “why” needs to make you cry—and how that emotional connection drives fitness success.

In This Episode:

[00:00] Introduction to Matt Pack

[03:28] Taking the leap to entrepreneurship

[04:42] Building relationships & gym culture

[07:23] Leadership challenges in gyms

[09:33] Lessons from early mistakes

[11:17] The dangers of overexpansion

[14:43] Weirdest workplace moment: Hygiene email

[19:36] A week in work: Work-life balance in fitness

[23:25] Finding your emotional “why”

[26:03] Listener Question #1: Networking for new instructors

[32:30] Listener Question #2: Client poaching by trainers

[38:43] Cringeworthy Question: Inappropriate client comments

[43:24] Closing thoughts & episode wrap-up

Notable Quotes

[22:40] "Consistency is everything. Consistency over perfection. And that's really what we're after with people." — Matt Pack

[23:19] "Most people need a why that is going to make them cry. And if it doesn't make you cry, you need to think of another why." — Matt Pack

[07:48] "I always try to hire personality first, and then I make them a good coach second." — Matt Pack

[10:37] "Sometimes bad things lead to really good things." — Matt Pack

[43:13] "All money is not good money. Some money's not worth it, right?" — Matt Pack

Matt Pack

Primal Fit Miami - https://www.primalfit360miami.com/

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-pack-077ab9123

Books by Matt Pack on Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B0BSS6QQXD

Maya Kadar Kovalsky

Website - https://www.mayakadar.com/

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

Workplace Weirdness

Email: [email protected]

SpeakPipe - http://speakpipe.com/workplaceweirdness

Website - http://workplace-weirdness.com

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/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.

What happens when you get fired by Elon Musk? For Billy Samoa, it wasn’t the end… It was the beginning. 

In this episode of Workplace Weirdness, host Maya Kadar Kovalsky chats with Billy Samoa Saleebey, founder and CEO of Podify, a media company that powers podcast production and promotion. Together, they explore how even the most jaw-dropping workplace experiences can become the spark for reinvention. Billy shares the story of how his career took a sharp turn when he was let go as Tesla’s global head of training—only to find that losing a job doesn’t mean losing yourself.

Packed with humor, heart, and hard-won wisdom, this episode is a reminder that even the weirdest work moments can spark major growth—if you’re willing to lean into the discomfort.

Key Takeaways

Being laid off doesn’t have to define you; it can be a launchpad for new opportunities.

Embracing “rookie smarts” and creative approaches to training can catapult your career.

Feedback is a gift—creating a culture of open feedback strengthens team performance.

Empathy is key when juggling global teams and time zones.

When giving feedback, focus on what you want to contribute rather than what you’re missing.

Trust your gut in interviews. If something feels off, it probably is.

In This Episode:

[00:00] Introduction to Billy Samoa Saleebey

[02:22] Billy's career journey  

[06:07] Lessons from early career mistakes  

[09:22] The power of feedback  

[11:14] Billy’s weirdest workplace moment

[21:39] Listener Question #1

[29:17] Listener Question #2 

[36:29] Cringeworthy Question

[43:57] Final thoughts and takeaways

Notable Quotes

[00:04:37] "So many people take it personally when you're laid off... when in all reality, there are a lot of factors that go into how that decision is made." — Billy 

[00:05:44] "I believe in radical transparency across life. I just think that the more you are open in general, good things happen." — Billy

[00:08:18] "I didn't try to follow a particular script. I let the experience lead the path." — Billy 

[00:10:32] "Feedback is a gift. It helps you refine what you're doing, make you better at what you do, tells you what you're doing right." — Billy 

Resources and Links

Mentioned Books

Rookie Smarts: Why Learning Beats Knowing in the New Game of Work by Liz Wiseman - https://www.amazon.com/Rookie-Smarts-Learning-Beats-Knowing/dp/006232263X

Your Brain at Work: Strategies for Overcoming Distraction, Regaining Focus, and Working Smarter All Day Long by David Rock - https://www.amazon.com/Your-Brain-Work-Strategies-Distraction/dp/0061771295

Audacious: How Humans Win in an AI Marketing World by Mark Schaefer - https://www.amazon.com/Audacious-How-Humans-Marketing-World/dp/B0DSHRN3PC

The Gift of Fear: And Other Survival Signals That Protect Us from Violence by Gavin de Becker - https://www.amazon.com/Gift-Fear-Survival-Signals-Violence/dp/0440226198

Billy Samoa Saleebey

Podify Website - https://podify.com/

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/billysamoa

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/billysamoa/?hl=en

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/BillySamoaSaleebey/

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/c/BillySamoa

Maya Kadar Kovalsky

Website - https://www.mayakadar.com/

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

Workplace Weirdness

Email: [email protected]

SpeakPipe - http://speakpipe.com/workplaceweirdness

Website - http://workplace-weirdness.com

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/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.

In this episode of Workplace Weirdness, host Maya Kadar Kovalsky sits down with Neil Sharma, co-founder of SolarKal, to explore his fascinating career journey. Neil's story is one of bold transitions—from crunching numbers at Bank of America to rocking out at MTV, and finally making an impact in clean tech. His path proves that pursuing diverse interests can lead to a truly fulfilling career.

They dive into listener questions on making career pivots, including transitioning from finance to event planning, navigating an unexpected job offer at a startup, and managing the awkward situation of working with a former online date.

This episode unpacks the weird and wonderful aspects of workplace dynamics—showing that adaptability and a positive attitude can help you thrive through unexpected challenges.

Key Takeaways

Finding joy, purpose, and fulfillment in your work is essential for long-term happiness.

Pursue your passion thoughtfully: start small, build on your existing skills, and carefully consider financial realities before making significant changes.

Leverage your professional value to negotiate a role that aligns with your personal goals, transforming potential challenges into career opportunities.

Adopt a mature and professional attitude, maintaining a courteous and respectful demeanor in the workplace.

In This Episode:

[00:00] Introduction to Neil Sharma

[02:33] Navigating Career Changes

[08:12] Finding Fulfillment in Solar

[12:21] Lessons from Early Career Mistakes

[15:31] Weirdest Workplace Moments

[24:52] Week in Work: Tesla Protests and Corporate Responsibility

[32:59] Listener Question #1: Balancing Passion and Financial Stability

[37:33] Listener Question #2: Navigating Career Transitions

[43:09] Workplace Weirdness: When Your Ex Becomes Your Boss

[46:01] Conclusion and Farewell

Notable Quotes

[00:09:34] “  At the end of the day, every second of what I do is meaningful.” — Neil 

[00:11:36] " In my 20’s, I was a banker chasing money. In my 30’s, I was chasing fun. When I crossed into the 40+’s, I’m proud of myself, I was chasing meaning. We all have these life chapters and different stages." — Neil

[00:38:48] "You're going to change, and so your career is probably going to have to change with you." — Neil

[00:23:54] “  If you're doing what you love, the good stuff happens.” — Neil

Resources and Links

Neil Sharma

SolarKal Website - https://www.solarkal.com/

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/neil-sharma-045117

Maya Kadar Kovalsky

Website - https://www.mayakadar.com/

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

Workplace Weirdness

Email - [email protected]

SpeakPipe http://speakpipe.com/workplaceweirdness

Website - http://workplace-weirdness.com

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/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.

In this episode of Workplace Weirdness, host Maya Kadar Kovalsky interviews culture-building expert Ann Rhoades, President of Peopleink and Former VP for the people department of Southwest Airlines. With experiences spanning JetBlue, Southwest Airlines, and DoubleTree Hotels, Ann has cultivated values-based corporate ecosystems, emphasizing the integral symmetry between employee and customer satisfaction. 

They discuss Ann's journey from finance to pioneering people-centric corporate cultures, share hilarious and insightful workplace anecdotes including a memorable encounter with a boa constrictor, and answer listener questions about tricky travel scenarios and awkward moments in the office. 

From Bloody Mary mishaps to the challenges of managing friends, this episode is packed with practical advice and entertaining stories about the quirks of office life.

Key Takeaways

The importance of grounding organizational culture in clearly defined values and systematic approaches

Why hiring based on behaviors indicative of set values—such as integrity and fun—a company can sustain a thriving, consistent culture that resonates with both employees and customers alike

The strength of a resilient corporate culture that embraces learning from atypical experiences

The necessity of clear communication, empathy, and sometimes firm boundaries—particularly when it comes to safety and respect in professional environments

How maintaining a positive, values-driven approach can transform challenges into opportunities for growth and camaraderie

In This Episode:

[00:00] Introducing Ann Rhoades

[04:20] Building a Values-Based Culture

[08:17] The Importance of Fun in the Workplace

[14:28] Weirdest Workplace Moments

[18:27] Southwest Airlines Layoffs

[23:18] Listener Question #1: Pregnant Employee's Flight Dilemma

[27:46] Listener Question #2: Balancing Friendship and Leadership

[32:35] Workplace Weirdness: Navigating Cultural Differences in the Workplace

[38:24] Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Notable Quotes

[00:04:20] “ I learned that you have to be systematic on culture, and it starts with defining who you wanna be.” — Ann 

[00:06:23] " It's critical that we hire people that represent our values and the behaviors we want because every single interaction with people, we're gonna see that." — Ann

[00:38:48] " Don't ever work anywhere where you don't have fun.'" — Ann

[00:39:20] “ There are lots of opportunities out there, regardless of what you hear about job cuts right now. There are lots of opportunities for great players. I'm telling you, it doesn't matter. The environment doesn't matter. It matters who you are and what you represent and how you, um, live life happily every day.” — Ann

Ann Rhoades

PeopleInk Website

LinkedIn

Maya Kadar Kovalsky

Website

LinkedIn

Workplace Weirdness

Email: [email protected]

SpeakPipe

Website

Instagram

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.

Ann Rhoades

PeopleInk Website

LinkedIn

Maya Kadar Kovalsky

Website

LinkedIn

Workplace Weirdness

Email: [email protected]

SpeakPipe

Website

Instagram

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.

In this episode of Workplace Weirdness, host Maya Kadar Kovalsky dives into the peculiarities of office life with guest Menaka Chang, a Fractional Chief People Officer. From an ex-employee treating the office like a personal lounge to navigating bureaucratic slowdowns in startups, they discuss the nuances of building high-performance cultures. They delve into the transition challenges when startups get acquired and how to maintain a performance-driven yet people-first culture. Tune in for insights on maintaining a people-first culture while still being performance-driven!

Key Takeaways

In This Episode

00:00 - Introduction and Welcome

01:09 - Meet Menaka Chang

08:36 - High Performers and Interview Techniques

14:01 - Weirdest Workplace Moment

16:33 - Week in Work: Ghost Job Listings

25:37 - Listener Question #1: Job Offers

27:52 - Listener Question #2: Startup Slowdowns

36:39 - Workplace Weirdness: Desk Perchers

40:09 - Conclusion and Farewell

Notable Quotes

• [09:28] "The zone of genius is when people really find that they are doing work and they almost feel like no time has passed, where you feel like you're in a flow state and you're doing great work." - Menaka Chang

• [12:37] " The best companies are performance driven because they are people-first. They treat employees well, they set clear expectations, they reward great work. People perform at their best when those things are happening." - Menaka Chang

• [26:16] " You should never feel pressured to sign a contract within an hour. That's a huge red flag. It sounds like a scare tactic or disorganized hiring process." - Menaka Chang

Resources and Links

Menaka Chang

• LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/menaka-chang

Maya Kadar Kovalsky

Workplace Weirdness

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.

In this episode of Workplace Weirdness, host Maya Kadar Kovalsky sits down with Adam Alpert, serial entrepreneur and founder of Pangea—a global talent marketplace shaking up the way companies hire contract and fractional workers. Adam’s career reads like a startup thriller, packed with wild twists, from pandemic-era "hacker houses" to the awkward nightmare of firing a co-founder while still sharing the same roof. His stories blur the lines between work and life in ways that are equal parts hilarious and brutally honest.

They dive into the drama behind Meta’s recent layoffs—what really happened, and what it says about corporate culture today. Listener confessions take center stage, too, with tales of workplace sabotage, printing disasters, and the kind of office mishaps that make you cringe just hearing about them. Adam also shares hard-won lessons from building a startup during COVID, including what happens when your co-founders are also your roommates (spoiler: boundaries tend to go out the window).

And if that’s not enough, there’s the story of a CEO who secretly tested employee loyalty and the accidental budget leak that left an entire team scrambling. Whether you’re curious about the future of remote work, navigating messy professional relationships, or just love a good workplace horror story, this episode has it all. Tune in—it’s about to get weird.

Key Takeaways

In This Episode:

Notable Quotes

• [00:14:33] "Imagine you're living with the person that you're firing. Oftentimes founders push off that hard decision because it's an awkward conversation. Imagine having that conversation and then seeing that person the next night, the next day, and every single day after that for 180 days." — Adam Alpert

• [00:17:28] "Spending New Year's together in our home, which was our office, just together, is a thing that most people don't experience in their lives. It was one of the happiest moments of navigating that experience together, and it felt like we had figured out how to live together, work together, and also just be friends together." — Adam Alpert

• [00:23:37] "When I was in charge of hiring at my old company, if Google let go of people, I was like, great, because we need a data scientist. Small and medium-sized businesses are excited to have anybody who used to work at a big corporation." — Maya Kowalski

• [00:25:31] “Don't take anything for granted. The company's priorities can change, and you could be out of a job tomorrow." — Adam Alpert

Adam Alpert

Maya Kadar Kovalsky

Workplace Weirdness

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.