Hosted by Chandra Wobschall and Paul Houtkooper

Hey JDE Connection listeners – Chandra and Paul here! This week, we had the opportunity to sit down with Ken Piddington and Dee Muir. What we didn’t expect was how often the conversation would come back to one simple idea: intentionality. It’s a word that gets tossed around quite a bit these days, but hearing both Ken and Dee describe their experiences made us stop and think about how often we actually make time for it.

Leadership Doesn’t Just Happen

One of the things we appreciated hearing from Ken was the philosophy behind the Emerging Leaders Program itself. Great leaders rarely appear by accident. They develop because someone invests in them, challenges them, and helps them see possibilities they may not see for themselves. That mindset has been built into the program from the beginning. From mentors and industry connections to group projects and leadership discussions, everything is designed to help participants grow beyond their current roles. And as Ken shared, that’s about strengthening the entire community, not just the individual participant.

The Value of Slowing Down

When we asked Dee about her biggest takeaway, her answer surprised us. It wasn’t a particular framework or leadership technique. It was learning to pause. In environments where we’re all juggling projects, meetings, deadlines, and whatever new challenges show up overnight, slowing down can feel counterproductive. Yet Dee described how the program encouraged her to think more intentionally about decisions, communication, and how her actions influence others. That observation resonated with both of us because leadership often isn’t about moving faster. Sometimes it’s about taking a moment before you move at all.

Learning From People Who Think Differently

Another theme that stood out was the value of connecting with people outside your own organization and industry. Both Dee and Chandra talked about how much they gained from conversations with their cohorts, mentors, and industry connections. Hearing different perspectives often challenges assumptions and opens doors to ideas we might never have considered otherwise. The technology we work with may be similar, but the experiences people bring to the table are incredibly diverse. That’s where a lot of learning happens.

Midwesternism of the Day

This week’s episode somehow takes a detour into potato dumplings, comfort food, and a phrase that most Midwesterners probably don’t think twice about using. The rest of the country, however, may need a translator.

Until next time, let’s keep learning, sharing, and most importantly, laughing together.

Toodles!

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