By Jathan Janove–
Bruce Cutright is Vice President of Human Resources & Administration for Mary Lanning Healthcare, a Nebraska hospital with over 1,200 employees. When he took the position, according to Gallup surveys, employee engagement was at an abysmal low while turnover was at an extreme high.
After nearly a decade of continuous effort, Bruce helped reverse this course, so much so that his hospital received recognition as one of 40 worldwide recipients of the Gallup Great Workplace Award for 6 consecutive years.
Bruce’s mottos are hire right, select managers who are transformational not transactional, coaches, not drill sergeants, focus on people’s strengths vs. correcting weaknesses, and create environments where people like the work they do, their co-workers and their boss.
Given the choice of anyone, whom would you want as a dinner guest and what would you talk about?
There are two.
Barack Obama. I would love to get his thoughts today on societal racism, the pandemic and our current administration.
Bobby Kennedy. As a member of our high school band, I saw him on the back of a train at a campaign stop in rural Nebraska. I tried playing loudly enough so that he could hear me. From what I’ve read, he was a principled man and had a lot to offer. Had he not been assassinated and instead became president, I believe the world would be a better place today.
What’s something in your life for which you are grateful?
There’s so much for which I’m grateful. My family, health, a nice home, job and income. A wonderful 45-year marriage.
At age 40, I was broke and unemployed. I couldn’t make mortgage payments or buy the groceries our family needed. I lost 30 pounds from worry and walked around with taped eyeglasses because I couldn’t afford frames.
I don’t take my blessings for granted.
What’s a treasured memory?
Families in my bloodline tended to be very big. Lots of kids. When the relatives got together, we’d sing songs. When I was 10 or 11, on Christmas Eve, we descended on my grandmother who lived in a tiny town in Nebraska, population 450. Nieces, nephews, cousins, aunts, uncles, etc., went through town singing Christmas carols. There was about 40 of us. Snow was lightly falling. It was an amazing combination of love and doing good for others. This event occurred about 55 years ago and I remember it like yesterday.
What’s an embarrassing moment in your life you’re willing to share?
I don’t think I’ve ever turned this red in my entire life.
My daughter was a teenage ballerina and good at it. A professional California ballet company was in town to do the Nutcracker. They selected her for a small part.
At the end, it’s customary to give the star ballerina a dozen roses, which I had with me while sitting in the audience. Thinking the performance had ended, I stood up and amidst 1,500 people who were still in their seats, I walked to the stage.
My daughter was on stage and had a mortified look on her face. I’d miscalculated. The show wasn’t over. My face began flashing multiple versions of red, orange and purple as I sheepishly returned to my seat.
Your house catches fire. After saving your loved ones and pets, you have time to safely make a final dash. What would you grab?
20 years ago, it would have been my guitar. During those days, I played in a band. Now, it would be the pictures of my family that rest on our piano.
If you could say something to a deceased friend, relative or colleague, something unsaid during that person’s lifetime, what would it be?
My father and I loved each other very much. But we never said it. If I had the opportunity, I would cut the male macho crap and say, “Dad, I love you.”
What do you find spiritual in life?
Sitting in my backyard with the trees and the bird feeders, reflecting on what’s important in life, and feeling grateful. Thanking God. I am particularly in awe when I can witness a starry night without the distraction of city lights. It is then that I realize the immensity of the universe and how grateful I am to be alive. I ponder my purpose on earth and the connectivity between all human beings.
Is there something you’ve dreamed of doing but haven’t yet done?
I would like to write a book on employee engagement. I get angry when I see employers doing the wrong thing, causing their employees needless pain and suffering. We need more compassion in the workplace.
Music is always playing in my head. I would like to record some of my own compositions before I am too old to properly play my instruments.
I’ve also thought of running for office. I think a lot of our government officials and legislators lack caring for the less advantaged among us. The idea of running for office is scary. However, if I did, it would be to give a voice to those in our society who presently don’t have one.
What’s a mistake you made and what did you learn?
When I was in my early 30s, I worked in HR for a manufacturing company. I got a call to come over to a plant. One of our employees showed up to work visibly intoxicated. He wasn’t wearing proper personal protective equipment and was being disruptive.
I decided to sweettalk him into leaving. I put my arm around him, walked him outside and encouraged him to go home. He got on his Harley motorcycle and left. I patted myself on the back for defusing a potentially ugly situation.
A short while later, I heard sirens. He’d crashed. After a year in a coma, he died.
Instead of congratulating myself and thinking only about our workplace, I should have called the police. He was in no condition to ride a motorcycle. Had I been less caught up in myself and more focused on what’s best overall, he might be alive today.
The easy way out isn’t necessarily the best way out.
What would the current you advise a younger you?
I would say to a version of myself 30 years ago, “Go with your strengths. Don’t try to be someone else, someone others think you should be. Find out what you’re best at and pursue it.”
Several years ago, I participated in the Don Clifton strengths-finder analysis. Empathy and communication showed up as my biggest strengths. Yet as I reflect on my career, most of it never truly utilized these strengths.
Forget what others are telling you who to be or what to be. Be who you are, and whatever job you’re doing, utilize your strengths.
Lastly, I’d tell myself, “Stop being judgmental of others. There’s a story behind every face. Instead of judging, be good to others. And, like the Hippocratic Oath, do no harm.”
Jathan Janove is Principal of Janove Organization Solutions, http://jathanjanove.com. Through consulting, executive coaching and training, he works with employers to create fully engaged workplace cultures. He also practiced law in Salt Lake City, Utah and Portland, Oregon.
