I recently went one-on-one with former Major League Baseball player Micah Johnson.
Adam: Thanks again for taking the time to share your advice. First things first, though, I am sure readers would love to learn more about you. How did you get here? What experiences, failures, setbacks, or challenges have been most instrumental to your growth?
Micah: I started my career chasing a dream that millions of kids share: playing Major League Baseball. I had the privilege of making it to “The Show” and wearing that uniform, but baseball, like life, is full of humbling moments. I was traded, sent down, and faced injuries that tested my identity and resilience.
When my playing days ended, I had to ask myself, “Who am I without baseball?” That question led me to art. I picked up a paintbrush for the first time and started telling stories. First, I did it for myself, then for others.
One of those stories became Aku, a young boy who believes he can go anywhere, do anything. That journey has now led to Aku: Journey to Ibra, my first book that I can’t be more excited about coming this spring.
Adam: What is the most surprising thing about life in baseball? What is something that would shock fans?
Micah: It’s not glamorous. Long bus rides, cheap hotels, low pay… at least back when I played. You have to truly love it. You’re playing in small towns, often in front of very few fans, while all your friends are posting pictures of parties in college or living in big cities.
It is a grind, and it teaches you that if you want something badly, you’ll know it because you’ll be able to block everything else out.
Adam: What are the best lessons you have learned through your career in baseball that are applicable to those of us who will never earn a living playing ball?
Micah: Three big ones:
- Resilience matters more than talent. Everybody has talent at that level, but the ones who thrive bounce back from failure quickly.
- Preparation, not success, creates confidence. I learned that if I prepared the right way, I could play free, whether I was in front of 50 people in Double-A or 50,000 in the majors.
- Months of dedication is nothing. Stop rushing success. Stop believing the “fake” success stories on social media. It took me 20 years to reach the big leagues. Success takes time.
Adam: Who is the best teammate you ever had and why? What are the characteristics of a great teammate?
Micah: Everybody I played with was great. Across the board. Nobody stands out in particular because I was very fortunate to play with a ton of great veterans. The key characteristics are good or bad; they were always the same. If they had a bad game, they’d still play spades after the game, and if they had a good game, you could never tell. Humility.
Adam: Who are the greatest leaders you have played for and with and why? What do you believe are the defining qualities of a great leader?
Micah: Again, tons of great leaders in my career. But for me, Ron Washington and Ryan Newman stand out. They both never said no to early work and helping others reach their dreams. Every single day, they showed up with passion and energy, ready to serve. A great leader serves.
Adam: What are your three best tips applicable to leaders and aspiring leaders?
Micah:
- Humility. Nothing is above you. Roll your sleeves up, you’re not special. Set the tone by doing the jobs nobody wants to do
- Organized. This is something I actually struggle with. But I think great leaders are structured, which makes it easy for the rest of the organization to follow their lead.
- Demanding. You have to have expectations for people. You’ll quickly find out who can measure up or not. Some people don’t want to be pushed or push themselves; let them fall. Focus on the ones that want to be great.
Adam: What is the single best piece of advice you have ever received?
Micah: “Everybody wants to be with a winner.” It’s true. When people start seeing you have success, all of a sudden, they’re texting you, wanting to be your friend. But when you’re quiet, or motion is slow, where are they? It’s very important to understand this, so when you’re at the top, you don’t get fooled by who is with you because of the hype. Stay grounded.
Adam: What can anyone do to pay it forward?
Micah: Talk to people in person. A conversation, asking someone how they’re doing, asking follow-up questions has much more lasting impact than a text message or tweet. As our world becomes increasingly digital, it’s important to show empathy and connect with people in person.
Adam: Is there anything else you would like to share?
Micah: Find balance in your life. Yes, work hard and chase your dreams, but you’d be surprised what the dream actually is. Don’t miss it. I used to think a dream was a career or accomplishments, but you know what the dream actually is? Being able to work hard all day, then come home and have a family waiting for me, a daughter who just wants to play Barbies, and a wife who has a smile and hug waiting for me.
