Derek Gaunt is a former hostage negotiator, crisis leadership expert and executive negotiation coach, widely recognised for his emphasis on empathetic listening as the foundation of effective communication. With over 25 years of frontline experience in crisis and hostage negotiation, Derek is hired as a speaker to help leaders and organisations navigate high-pressure conversations, conflict and uncertainty with calm, clarity and emotional intelligence.
Derek began his career in law enforcement in 1988, embarking on a 25-year tenure specialising in crisis and hostage negotiation. Starting as an instructor, he progressed through increasingly senior roles to become a team commander, ultimately serving as a Crisis Negotiations Team Coordinator within a Special Investigations Unit. During this period, he was directly involved in high-risk negotiations where outcomes depended on trust, psychological insight and precise communication rather than force.
Alongside his operational work, Derek served as a Deputy at the Alexandria Sheriff’s Office and spent six years as an instructor at ATA, training law enforcement professionals in negotiation techniques and tactical communication. In 2010, he transitioned his expertise into the corporate and advisory world, becoming a Senior Executive, negotiation trainer and Coach at The Black Swan Group, the consultancy founded by former FBI hostage negotiators. He complemented his frontline experience with formal education, graduating from Columbia Southern University with a degree in Criminal Justice and Law Enforcement Administration.
Since moving into advisory and executive work, Derek has focused on translating life-or-death negotiation principles into practical tools for business, leadership and personal performance. He has worked with senior leaders and organisations across sectors, helping them navigate conflict, manage emotion and build trust through empathetic listening. In 2018, he expanded his influence with the publication of his novel 'Ego, Authority, Failure', which explores power dynamics and human behaviour under pressure. Derek is hired as a speaker for his ability to deliver compelling, practical and deeply human insights that transform how people listen, negotiate and lead.
