Pianalto Urges 40U40 Class To Create Real Magic

Mercy Northwest Arkansas president Eric Pianalto urged members of the Northwest Arkansas Business Journal’s 2015 Forty Under 40 class to not lose sight of where the magic happens in their business every day.

Pianalto made his remarks during the luncheon portion of the event Aug. 18 at the John Q. Hammons Convention Center in Rogers, before a sellout crowd of about 530.

“I encourage you to go understand what your organization needs to create real magic, and do everything within your power to give those around you the tools they need to create that magic,” Pianalto said. “If you enable magic in your organization, you will find success in whatever you are led to do in your career.”

Pianalto, an alum of the Business Journal’s 2003 Forty Under 40 class, also urged honorees to make the most of their time, both personally and professionally.

“Time flies, so enjoy the season of life you are in,” he explained. “While this is probably one of the busiest times of your life, the things that you are learning and teaching today will have a huge impact on what you will reflect on when you are standing up here 10 to 15 years from now.

“You will have many successes and failures during that time, and from my own experience, I learned more from my failures than I did my successes,” he continued. “Both are important personal and professional growth opportunities, just don’t let either define who you are. Let your values define who you are, not what happens as time is flying by.”

The luncheon was sponsored by Intrust Bank, and also featured an honorees-only breakout session before the luncheon, led by Pianalto and former Wal-Mart Stores Inc. chief operating officer Don Soderquist, the founding executive of Soderquist Leadership in Siloam Springs, and a 2010 inductee into the Arkansas Business Hall of Fame.

This year’s class marks the 19th to be honored by the Business Journal, which annually honors 40 individuals under the age of 40 who were nominated as best in class by their peers in all industries.

Nominations can be made for the 2016 Forty Under 40 class here.