Transitioning from a professional sports career to a corporate role can be daunting. But for ADT’s Vice President of DIY Business, Aaron Miller, who played minor league professional baseball, the path from the baseball diamond to the corporate world was eased thanks to valuable lessons he learned about teamwork, dedication and perseverance. He now uses those skills to support his team and ADT's customers.
A passion for baseball
Miller's love for baseball began at a young age. "Ever since I was little, I had a baseball bat in my hand," he said. His passion for the game led him to play at Baylor University, where he honed his skills as a pitcher and standout slugger. Eventually, he was drafted by the Los Angeles Dodgers and played for several minor league teams. He describes this time as "an unbelievable experience" in which he traveled across the country and internationally, learning life lessons that would later prove crucial in his corporate career.
The transition
Like many athletes, Miller had to face the reality that not everyone makes it to the big leagues. After a few years in the minors, he realized he needed to move on from baseball. "It was very hard, very difficult," he said of the decision.
But with a pragmatic approach instilled by his mother, Miller decided to hang up his cleats and pursue a new path. He moved to Chicago to earn his MBA, which eventually led him to a corporate position at ADT.
Applying baseball lessons to corporate life
Miller's journey at ADT began in the customer experience organization, where he focused on improving customer engagement. He then transitioned to Vice President of Product Management and now serves as Vice President of DIY Business. He says the skills he developed on the baseball field have been instrumental in his corporate success.
"Teamwork, commitment, perseverance, humility, intentional effort and hard work," he lists as the intangible skills that have driven him to success both in baseball and in his professional life.
Teamwork and culture: The keys to success
One of the most important lessons Miller learned from baseball is the value of teamwork and culture. "You can't win a game without offense and defense working together. You can't win a game without all nine guys pulling together," he said "At ADT, we can't be successful without teams and without our cross-functional partners."
Miller’s baseball background also taught him the importance of a strong culture. "In baseball, the clubhouse culture is everything,” he said. “It's about creating an environment where everyone feels valued and motivated to give their best.”
These principles are equally applicable in the corporate world. "At ADT, we strive to build a culture where every team member feels like they are part of something bigger, where their contributions matter, and where they are encouraged to grow and succeed,” he said.
Baseball gave Miller a set of skills that have shaped his approach to life, pushing him daily to be a better husband, father and leader, he said. "The game taught me a specific set of intangible skills that, although I'm not throwing a ball or swinging a bat anymore, are just as relevant in my life today as they were then."