In this episode of Career Tools, Wendy and Amanda discuss strategies for gathering intelligence about potential company layoffs. They emphasize the importance of leveraging your network by asking contacts within, connected to, and outside of your company about business conditions, resource indicators, and industry trends. The hosts caution against directly asking about layoff rumors to avoid spreading anxiety and advise using casual conversations to gain insights into the company's health. They also stress the significance of maintaining confidentiality and building strong professional relationships based on mutual support and honest communication, rather than gossip. The goal is to stay informed and make proactive decisions, viewing layoff intelligence as a means of situational awareness.