Finding Those Who Find Romance in a Loaf of Bread

I was reminiscing with a friend who ran an executive search firm not long ago. When he asked me about my favorite interview from my days as an entertainment reporter, one name immediately came to mind—and I realized the story might resonate with anyone involved in hiring decisions.

A Bit of Background

In 1992, I attended a press junket for Glengarry Glen Ross, a film with an all-star cast including Alan Arkin, Alec Baldwin, Ed Harris, Al Pacino, Kevin Spacey, and the legendary Jack Lemmon. At the time, Lemmon was already a Hollywood icon with a career spanning over four decades. Some of us in the press thought this might be his last film, though he went on to make 13 more, including the Grumpy Old Men series with his close friend Walter Matthau.

Lemmon was “old school” in the best sense—he understood the importance of connecting with his audience and worked hard in every interview. Even after our camera time had ended, he continued telling me a story, simply because he valued the interaction.

During our interview, I asked, “Are you surprised you’re still doing this?” He replied, “Yes, but I’m damn glad, because I love it.” I pressed a bit, “With all you could be doing—playing golf, traveling, spending time with loved ones—why are you still on a film set?”

His response was unforgettable: “I’m here because I am still finding romance in that loaf of bread.”

Then he shared a story that speaks to the heart of what we should all look for in people we hire.

A Lesson from Jack Lemmon’s Father

“Let me tell you about my old man,” Lemmon began. “He was a baker. Every morning he’d leave for work at 4 a.m., even though by the time I was growing up, he didn’t need to work so hard. I asked him once why he still did it, and he said, ‘Because I love it. I’ll keep doing it as long as I find romance in that loaf of bread.’ And he did, right up until the end of his life. That’s why I’m here—because I love it.”

I had the opportunity to interview Lemmon twice more before he passed away in 2001. Each time, I’d start with, “Still finding romance in that loaf of bread?” And he’d smile, always answering, “Yes.”

A touching addition to this story: on his deathbed, Lemmon’s father gave him one last piece of advice, “Spread a little sunshine.” And Jack Lemmon did just that throughout his 51-year career.

What This Means for Hiring

After sharing this story with my recruiter friend, I realized Jack Lemmon—and his father—are exactly the kinds of people he, and any hiring manager, should be looking for. Not necessarily people who fit a broad generalization or have a particular set of qualifications, but rather people who find “romance in that loaf of bread”—who would keep doing their work long after they had to, simply because they love it.

When making hiring decisions, it’s not just about finding someone with the right skills or experience; it’s about finding someone with passion, someone who genuinely loves what they do and brings that spirit to their work every day. That’s the kind of person who’ll make a meaningful impact—both in their role and on the people around them.