The JDE Connection: Episode 56 – Interview with Chris Laping Part 1

Hosted by Chandra Wobschall and Paul Houtkooper

Hey JDE Connection listeners! We’re back with another powerful episode, and this one is all heart, reflection, and real talk. We sat down with Chris Laping, author of People Before Things and a veteran CIO, to explore leadership, emotional intelligence, and what it really takes to transform organizations—and ourselves.

The Power of Culture

Chris kicked things off by talking about leaders who left a lasting impact on him. These leaders modeled a powerful, people-first approach that left Chris inspired to lead the same way. His message was clear: great leadership isn’t about control—it’s about care.

We reflected on the importance of culture, and how true culture reveals itself when things go wrong. It’s not about the posters or values printed on your onboarding documents—it’s about how teams solve problems, collaborate, and treat one another under pressure.

Four Wall Management: Control What You Can

Chris shared a concept from his time in the restaurant industry: four wall management. It’s about owning your space—your influence, your reactions, your energy. In other words, you can’t control everything, but you can control how you show up. If the broader culture doesn’t match your values, you either work to change it—or accept it’s not the right place for you.

Emotional Intelligence in Action

This episode was a masterclass in emotional intelligence. We talked about:

• The importance of self-awareness and recognizing when you’re not at your best
• The ability to choose your attitude and set boundaries
• How to tell if you’re being left out of meetings because you’re hard to work with

Chris offered a sharp insight: if you’re not getting invited to the meetings you think you should be in, it’s either because people don’t know your value—or they know it, but find you difficult to work with. And both of those are within your control.

Navigating AI Hype with Thoughtfulness

We also dipped into AI hype and the temptation to overreact to trends. Chris reminded us that transformation isn’t a side hustle—and if we treat it like one, we’ll get side hustle results. Whether it’s AI, mobile, or cloud, the challenge is never the tech—it’s the people and the adoption. Culture again becomes the cornerstone.

Choosing Authentic Voices

Chandra and Chris also got real about sorting through leadership content online. How do you know what’s worth your time? Chris’s tip: follow people who’ve lived the experience. He shared his appreciation for leaders like Jefferson Fisher, who walk the talk and offer bite-sized, actionable wisdom grounded in real-life expertise.

Final Thoughts

From early-career lessons to C-suite leadership, from humor to hard truths, this episode with Chris Laping is packed with wisdom for anyone navigating change, culture, and career growth. Whether you’re a technologist, people leader, or aspiring change agent, there’s something in here for you.

Join the Conversation

Have thoughts about emotional intelligence, leadership, or how you show up in your organization? Let us know at thejdeconnection@questoraclecommunity.org.

Until next time, let’s keep learning, growing, and showing up with purpose. Toodles!

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