.png)
Meet Bradley Millington, an integral member of the RedCloud team, whose approach to mornings involves a silent rendezvous with coffee until his brain shifts into high gear. As a consultant, Bradley revels in the lower stress levels that come with his role, relishing the ability to balance between his client work and his personal pursuits and family. In our latest “10min With” Interview, Bradley sheds light on his surprising discoveries, the secrets to maintaining a healthy work-life balance, and the distinctive company culture at RedCloud.
Discover the unique facets of Bradley Millington's professional journey and personal pursuits as he shares insights into his work at RedCloud and provides a glimpse into his vibrant life beyond the office walls.
What's your morning routine like before starting your work day?
To be honest, I've never been much of a morning person, which is why my morning routine consists of ingesting coffee in total silence until my brain activates enough to form complete sentences. I've also taken to a steady routine of oatmeal and blueberries for breakfast, which is my attempt to make a healthy dietary choice while keeping my cholesterol in check. Lastly, I always start the day by reading through the top stories in the New York Times. I gave up social media for this habit during the pandemic and never looked back!
Have there been any surprising discoveries about yourself through your work at RedCloud?
I've been pleasantly surprised by the lower stress levels I've experienced working as a consultant, rather than a full-time employee. After a full day on client work, I can turn my attention to my hobbies and family each evening, and I'm not on the hook to fill out that pesky performance review every 6 months! I can be satisfied knowing I deliver value to the client each day, without it completely taking over my life.
How do you maintain a healthy work-life balance in your role?
See above! I am also very lucky to be working for a team that values flexibility and gives me space for things like doctor's appointments and mid-day errands when necessary. There is a lot of trust among my colleagues that we will each do our part while also giving space to conduct our lives. On top of that, my team freely shares glimpses into their personal activities in chat or small talk at the beginning of meetings, which brings a healthy dose of humanity to the workplace. My colleagues have also included me in their social gatherings outside of the office. I recently competed in a 5k run with my extended organization and also participated in a backyard potluck BBQ with my immediate team. Building these social connections has made my time at work all the more relaxed, fun, and rewarding.
How would you describe the company culture at RedCloud, and how does it impact your work at the client (MSFT in this case!)?
I really appreciate how RedCloud welcomes consultants into their culture, inviting us to company gatherings, lunch-and-learns, and other company events. They could have reserved these for non-contract-based employees, but they don't, and it really makes a difference. Because of this, I feel more connected to RedCloud despite the fact that most of my time is spent immersed in my client's team culture. In my day-to-day work, I tell everyone (especially consultants from other companies) how great my company is and how supported we are.
What's a piece of obsolete technology you still have a soft spot for?
I'll admit that I still buy most things as physical media instead of their digital equivalents. I still have the cassette player I bought when I was 16 years old, right next to me in my home office. Believe it or not, many self-produced musicians are still making cassette releases because they are both cheap and nostalgic! I am not alone.
What's one thing people don't know about you that they would be surprised to discover?
I organize hardware-based electronic music events all over Seattle - sometimes 15 or more in a year. It's a personal passion, and I've met so many incredible artists and creatives in my community by doing this. My most recent event was "Sound of the Machine" on Oct 21 at the Georgetown Steam Plant, an immersive audio-visual experience consisting of 17 artists performing in a National Historic Landmark building. Last year, I produced "Velocity" - an all-day synthesizer festival consisting of educational seminars, workshops, a manufacturer trade show, and artist performances across three stages. I also host art shows at my studio in Fremont, outdoor performances in Seattle's parks, and a monthly open stage at Substation in Ballard. You can keep up with what I'm doing by following @modularseattle on Instagram! Speaking of work-life balance - this is what it looks like. ;-)