When Connor Miller describes his nonbusiness superpower as being able to change diapers with one hand, there’s more to the statement than a playful boast.
Miller says his career and life changed for the better when he shifted his focus from making money and gaining status to achieving freedom and control over his time.
Now a father of three children ages 6 and younger, he’s thriving in both his home and work life as the chief information officer of ArdentX and founding partner of Black Sheep Capital Partners.
“(With) my first two kids, I wasn’t around much when they were babies,” he said. “I was able to put myself in a position now where I’m really around at home more. It’s been great to be able to be present there with my family.”
Among Miller’s business accomplishments, he helped lead a turnaround of the transportation and logistics company ArdentX, scaling it to more than $100 million in revenue. With Black Sheep Capital, he leads a firm that invests in early-stage, disruptive companies.
Recognized by his Trailblazer Award nominators for a clear, steady and execution-focused leadership style, Miller says his goal is to keep an open mind when making business decisions an solving problems.
“I try to approach everything with curiosity and challenge my own assumptions,” he said. “Because I think when you’re walking in that mindset of having it already figured out, you’re done for.”
Miller says the best advice he has received is “just play the long game.” For him, it’s resulted in fulfillment whether he’s changing diapers or at work to provide for his family.
“I think there’s a lot of people who’ll trade either relationships or possible even their integrity for short-term profits and I just never think that’s the answer.
“I think it’s important to make sure you’re building something that ‘s going to be compounding over time, and I think the best way to do that is by building genuine relationships and making sure you’re always adding value to the conversation.”