Max Miller – The Back Story

Max Miller

The Back Story monthly interview features ADAPTOVATE employees from around the world.

Our team is the greatest asset we have, and it’s a privilege to share just a little bit more about who they are. This month we feature Max Miller, one of our Australian team.

First up - how long have you worked with us? 

I started at ADAPTOVATE in January 2022

Why did you join us? Were you in the industry previously, or looking for a new career direction?

Consulting was a new career path for me, but not my first major pivot. Before joining ADAPTOVATE and completing my MBA, I worked in marketing and business development for an executive conference and events organization in New York City. Upon returning to Australia, I wanted to explore something new, and consulting felt like the perfect opportunity to challenge myself, continue learning, and grow.

Prior to working in New York, I was a snowsports athlete and a member of the Australian Snowboard Development Team, striving to qualify for the Australian Winter Olympic Team. Unfortunately, an injury during the lead-up to the Sochi Winter Olympics changed my course, prompting me to pivot and pursue studies in Business and Economics at the University of Colorado, Boulder.

How has your previous experience and career helped define where you are now? Would you have done things differently?

My experience in New York City instilled a strong work ethic that has benefited me far beyond my time in the Big Apple. Working in Business Development provided valuable experience collaborating closely with clients, requiring me to deeply understand their unique contexts and organizational needs, and to design bespoke solutions that delivered real value. These skills closely align with the ones I now use to connect with, understand, and deliver tailored solutions for ADAPTOVATE's clients.

My time as a Winter sports athlete also taught me invaluable life skills that I draw on every day, both professionally and personally. It highlighted the importance of consistency in training and development, ensuring that both my body and mind are optimized to perform, and how to embrace a growth mindset to navigate challenging situations and setbacks.

Which talent would you most like to have?

Not necessarily a talent to some, but I would love a photographic memory. It would make life a lot easier.

What do you most value in your friends and in colleagues - and are they different things?

Honesty, openness and loyalty.

Which historical figure do you most identify with?

A bit of a cliché, but I’d say I identify most with a more athletic version of Leonardo da Vinci. Like him, I have a constant curiosity about why things are the way they are. I’m always asking questions, seeking to understand the variables at play and the factors that shaped an outcome - sometimes, much to my partner’s frustration.

What is your idea of perfect happiness?

Good health, spending quality time with friends and family, embracing opportunities to challenge myself, and finding enjoyment in whatever I’m doing - be it work or play.

What is your greatest extravagance

I’m not usually one for extravagance, but I do invest in eating well, maintaining my health and wellness, and quality sporting equipment. I’m a firm believer in fuelling the body and mind to make the most out of life.

Max during a recent holiday to Indonesia

What is your motto?

If it's worth doing, it's worth overdoing.

Finally - You've time travelled back to your 10-year-old self - What advice would you give?

Don't be afraid to fail. It is the fastest and most effective way to learn and grow. "Don't let the fear of striking out, prevent you from stepping up to bat".