Michael Fallon is a security executive based in Hartford, Connecticut, who works with UnitedHealth Group (UHG) US global security operations as a senior manager. He works cross-functionally with the employee relations and global crisis management teams to ensure robust security at locations across the Northeast. Michael Fallon collaborates with Connecticut corporate leaders to analyze risks across UHG companies and recommends solutions that incorporate leading-edge metrics and analytics. He responds to critical incidents while fostering a culture of resilience and safety throughout the organization.
Mr. Fallon earned his BS in criminal justice from the University of New Haven and interned with the Drug Enforcement Administration. He gained insight into the internal operations of federal law enforcement agencies and prepared paperwork for various investigations. His professional background includes serving as director of safety and security at Asphalt Green, where he ensured fire safety and physical security across three campuses in New York City, including Manhattan’s only full-size soccer field and Olympic-size swimming pool, as well as Brooklyn’s Major Owens Community Center.
Mr. Fallon earned the Medal of Valor for bravery in response to an incident in December 2018. He is a longtime New York Yankees fan and enjoys spending time with his dogs and riding motorcycles.
What is your typical day, and how do you make it productive?
I tend to wake up, brush my teeth, and cook a healthy breakfast. I’m currently intermittent fasting, which means I don’t eat until noon. On weekdays, I work starting around 8 am. I try to walk our dog, Nala, once a day to get her some exercise. I like to spend evenings with my wife, working out and exploring our little Connecticut town. I enjoy trying new restaurants. I make days productive by setting my mind to little tasks and completing them early in my day. I find that if you can’t do the little things, you cannot expect to do the big things.
How do you bring ideas to life?
I love to write things down and do my research before making a decision. My wife says I have “phases,” but I call them periodical passions. My ideas often come alive in a notepad and after research, reddit forums, and deep diving social media, I’ll take the next step, however that may look.
What’s one trend that excites you?
I love watches. I currently own several Omegas, but I’m working and saving to buy my first Rolex. I enjoy watching influencers on social media flip watches for profit, and I like to visit the Diamond District on East 47th Street in Manhattan to see this trend in real life.
What is one habit that helps you be productive?
A habit that helps me be productive is my OCD. I like things clean, orderly, and tidy. When this is the case, my day flows smoother and I’m able to stay relaxed and focused on my daily tasks. On the weekend when things are more lax, I try to loosen up that OCD to let myself breathe.
What advice would you give your younger self?
Follow YOUR dreams, not anyone else’s. I’d tell myself to work hard in school and not just get by. A’s and B’s were good, but A+s that took me to a top-tier college would have been better. I was always so rigid when I was young. I went to a college near home and tried to be someone I wasn’t. I’d tell my younger self to think out of the box and challenge myself.
Tell us something you believe almost nobody agrees with you on?
That my old commute to New York City (2+ hours each way) was easy. I enjoyed working in the city, and I loved my job, so I didn’t mind it at all. Everyone else thought I was crazy, and I’m pretty sure they still do.
What is the one thing you repeatedly do and recommend everyone else do?
Live like you could die tomorrow. My father passed at 47 years old with a full bank account and a lack of life experiences. I truly believe life is too short and just want to live with that mentality. I tell everyone to do the same!
When you feel overwhelmed or unfocused, what do you do?
Ride my motorcycle somewhere without the GPS on, take in the sights, get the wind in my hair, and get lost. I find something in the freedom of the motorcycle that I can’t find anywhere else.
What is one strategy that has helped you grow your business or advance in your career?
I try to have a board of advisors in my life. People from all walks of life with different experiences that can give me wise council. They are made up of role models, friends, family, coworkers, etc. that I have met across my path. It’s an informal title, but a very special one to me.
What is one failure in your career, how did you overcome it, and what lessons did you take away from it?
I planned my entire life to be a police officer. When a career as a police officer wasn’t in the cards after several years, I adapted on the fly and took up a career in corporate security. I offer my skills I learned as a police officer to large corporations who deeply value it. I miss being a police officer, but my work-life balance has never been better.
What is one business idea you’re willing to give away to our readers?
Corporate insider threat detection platform.
Develop or resell a software solution that monitors internal digital behavior to detect:
• Data leaks.
• Fraud.
• Sabotage.
• Workplace harassment.
What is one piece of software that helps you be productive? How do you use it?
ChatGPT helps me in a lot of different ways on a regular basis with composing emails and research.
Do you have a favorite book or podcast you’ve gotten a ton of value from and why?
The 48 Laws of Power is my favorite book because it speaks to parts of life most people are too afraid to talk about openly — control, influence, strategy, and the darker sides of human nature. It doesn’t sugarcoat anything. Instead, it lays out the realities of how power works in the real world, whether we want to admit it or not.
What I appreciate most is how it gives me a different lens to see things through. Each law is backed by historical examples, which not only make it more legit but also keep it engaging. It’s like reading a mix of history, psychology, and strategy all in one.
I don’t read it just for manipulation or to play games with people — I read it because it helps me understand how people operate. The more I understand that, the better I can protect myself, navigate tricky situations, and make smarter decisions. It gives me insight into dynamics that most people miss.
There’s a confidence that comes from knowing the rules — even if I choose not to use all of them. It’s not about being ruthless; it’s about being aware.
That’s why this book stands out for me. It’s real, unapologetic, and sharp — and in a world full of surface-level advice, that’s rare.
What’s a movie or series you recently enjoyed and why?
The Lincoln Lawyer is a great new show I watched because it pulls you in right from the start. The mix of courtroom drama, clever twists, and the main character working cases out of the back of his car makes it feel fresh and different. It’s smart, fast-paced, and keeps you guessing — definitely one of those shows where you say “just one more episode” and end up watching three.
Key learnings
- Discipline and routine drive productivity.
- Passion fuels action.
- Mindset matters more than circumstance.
- Environment influences focus.
- Life is meant to be lived fully.