An Inspired Chat with Michael Gips

We recently had the chance to connect with Michael Gips and have shared our conversation below.

Michael, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: Who are you learning from right now?
I’m learning from anyone and everyone, particularly from people who don’t know they are teaching me or don’t think they have anything to impart. As someone who treasures education and learning, I tend to try to teach or enlighten others if I think it will help them and they are receptive to it. In the same way, I try to present as a willing student to those who have the same pedagogical bent.

However, some of the best wisdom is locked inside people without that bent or who are humble about what they know. By both observing closely and asking questions showing genuine interest, I’ve been able to learn valuable information and life skills. Those range from how large language models process data to how to ergonomically unload a large waste receptacle into a garbage truck.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I’m a self-described philomath and jack of all trades. My brand combines excellence in security (physical, cyber, converged), law, journalism, research, technology, and leadership. While I ran my own consultancy for several years (and still do on the side), I recently merged my personal brand with Kroll, a leading financial advisory and risk advisory firm. I am leveraging Kroll’s impressive track record, credentials, people, and weight. For Kroll, I am providing my thought leadership and media access, network, ideas for new business lines, and familiarity with current and developing technology.

My interests and strengths have come together in a book that is being published by Routledge press right before Christmas. It’s called It’s Not in the Manual: Real-World Leadership for Security and Risk Professionals. While it is deeply personal, it primarily chronicles the leadership stories and qualities of risk professionals–hundreds of whom were interviewed for the book. It’s not a pedantic academic tome or collection of war stories, either. I wrote it an entertaining and accessible way.

Here’s a short paragraph from the teaser for the book:

Written with both erudition and pop culture sensibility, the book blends field-tested insights with sharp wit, drawing from sources as varied as Socrates and Snoopy, Bill Gates and Bill Bryson, quantum physics and playground fistfights.
If you’re looking for a dry leadership tome, keep looking. This is leadership with levity, candor, and conscience.

Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
The world still tells me I have to choose a title, and it’s Managing Director, Enterprise Security Risk Management, for Kroll. But fundamentally I’m also a journalist, researcher, writer/editor, nonprofit executive, attorney, media trainer, educator, and, most importantly, student.

If you could say one kind thing to your younger self, what would it be?
A cure is on the way. Hang in there.

So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
A long-time friend and colleague created a miraculous database of millions of crime, security, and terrorism incidents divided into 80,000 categories. If you want to know about terrorist attacks on ferries, bombs concealed in animals, siblings who committed insider attacks, hacker attacks against churches, crimes committed by people dressed as Santa–you name it–he’s got it. I’d like to get him the attention and acclaim he deserves and help him monetize this incredible resource.

Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. If you laid down your name, role, and possessions—what would remain?
My impact on family, friends, community, and the security profession. As well as evidence of my thought leadership–books, articles, reports, podcasts, webinars, presentations, etc.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.michaelgips.com
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelgips/
• Twitter: @mikegips