Grow Beyond Transactions with Genuine Connection.
Rob Lawless
Human Connection Keynote Speaker | 10K Friends Project Creator
Rob Lawless is on a journey to meet 10,000 people one hour at a time—and with over 7,000 meaningful conversations across 90+ countries completed, he's discovered the incredible power of intentional connection to unite, empower, and transform organizations. His proven FRIEND framework helps companies combat the $154 billion annual loneliness crisis while building cultures where people stay, perform, and thrive.
A Keynote Speaker Who Lives the Message of Human Connection
Rob Lawless isn't just talking about connection—he's actually living it by spending one hour in personal conversation with 10,000 people from all walks of life. When you book Rob for your event, you're bringing someone who has created over 7,000 meaningful friendships across 90+ countries, proving that genuine human connection knows no borders. His extraordinary journey spans mass shooting survivors sharing their stories, pilots who built the planes they fly, and thousands of people in between—each conversation deepening his understanding of what truly connects us and the transformative power of simply listening to one another.
Connection isn't a soft skill—it's a business imperative with very tangible financial impact. Replacing an employee costs 50-200% of their salary, making turnover reduction through connection a direct revenue driver. Sixty-nine percent of job seekers won't join companies with bad reputations, and in an era where every workplace issue reaches Glassdoor or TikTok, your internal culture shapes external identity. Psychological safety—the number one predictor of team innovation and performance—depends entirely on connection. Most critically, loneliness costs US employers $154 billion annually, with lonely employees twice as likely to miss work due to illness and five times more likely to miss work due to stress.
Rob's signature keynote "The Untapped Value of Human Connection" introduces his FRIEND framework—focusing on Family & Relationships, Industry, Entertainment, and Needs & Dreams—as a practical tool for creating authentic one-on-one connections. Through compelling stories and vivid photography from his global adventures, Rob demonstrates how intentional relationship-building transforms workplace culture, ensuring every person feels seen, heard, and valued. Meeting planners consistently praise Rob's presentations as "one of the most impactful" they've seen, noting how attendees network and connect more at conferences where Rob speaks, creating lasting change beyond the keynote itself.
What Your Audience Will Learn
Form deeper connections through intentional questions—discover exactly what to ask to dig deeper in conversations, creating stronger relationships with clients and colleagues.
Become better listeners through active engagement—ensure conversations are meaningful and fruitful, allowing greater efficiency and productivity in the workplace.
Ignite new possibilities through relationship building—become more intentional about connection and tap into the compounding value of relationships over time.
Combat the loneliness epidemic protecting your mission—create environments that meet human needs for connection, attracting talent, trust, and long-term loyalty.
Watch Rob's Keynote Speaker Demo Reel
"One of the most impactful presentations I've seen this year."
A clear call for improving communication, but more importantly making the effort to connect more deeply.
Why Meeting Planners Choose Rob
When you book a human connection keynote speaker, you want someone whose expertise comes from genuine experience, not borrowed theory. Rob Lawless delivers exactly that. A native of Norristown, Pennsylvania, Rob graduated with highest honors from Penn State University before starting his career at Deloitte Consulting. But his true calling emerged from an extraordinary personal mission: spending one hour in meaningful conversation with 10,000 people from every walk of life. Over the past decade, Rob has connected with more than 7,000 people from over 90 countries worldwide, garnering significant media attention for his Robs10kFriends project.
What makes Rob's approach revolutionary is that he's not theorizing about workplace connection—he's documented thousands of hours of actual human connection across incredible diversity. His conversations span mass shooting survivors, airline pilots who built their own aircraft, business executives, artists, athletes, and everyday people whose stories reveal universal human truths. Each conversation has deepened his understanding of what creates genuine bonds, what questions unlock authentic sharing, and how intentional relationship-building transforms both individuals and organizations.
Rob's keynotes concentrate on fostering human connections while highlighting the significance of empathy, emotional intelligence, and belonging. His FRIEND framework provides practical tools that even introverts can use to create lasting meaningful connections that drive productivity. Organizations including CUNA, NACAS, and Teneo consistently praise how Rob's presentations inspire attendees to network more, connect deeper, and carry his message long after events end. His project contributes to a broader dialogue about the future of work and how organizations can create environments supporting meaningful connections regardless of whether employees work remotely or in physical offices.
Credentials & Recognition
10K Friends Project:
• 7,000+ meaningful one-on-one conversations
• 90+ countries represented worldwide
• Mass shooting survivors to airline pilots
• Significant media attention and coverage
Professional Background:
• Penn State University highest honors graduate
• Former Deloitte Consulting professional
• FRIEND framework creator
• Workplace culture transformation expert
Client Highlights:
• CUNA ("most impactful presentation")
• NACAS (increased conference networking)
• Teneo Summit
• Multiple associations and corporations
Frequently Asked Questions About Booking Rob Lawless
What makes Rob Lawless different from other keynote speakers?
Rob Lawless isn't just talking about connection—he's living it by spending one hour in personal conversation with 10,000 people from all walks of life. With over 7,000 meaningful conversations completed across 90+ countries, Rob has created genuine friendships spanning continents and cultures. His experiences range from mass shooting survivors sharing their deepest trauma to pilots who actually built the planes they fly—each conversation revealing universal human truths about what connects us. His FRIEND framework (Family, Relationships, Industry, Entertainment, Needs, Dreams) isn't theoretical—it's the actual method he's used to create thousands of authentic connections. Unlike speakers who study connection from afar, Rob has lived thousands of hours building it.
What keynote topics does Rob Lawless speak about?
Rob's signature keynote "The Untapped Value of Human Connection" addresses the critical business case for connection. Loneliness costs US employers $154 billion annually, replacing employees costs 50-200% of salary, 69% of job seekers won't join companies with bad reputations, and psychological safety (driven by connection) is the number one predictor of team innovation. Rob teaches his FRIEND framework for forming deeper connections through intentional questions, becoming better listeners through active engagement, and igniting new possibilities through relationship building. His presentations include compelling stories and vivid photography from his global journey, demonstrating how intentional connection transforms workplace culture, ensuring every person feels seen, heard, and valued. All content can be customized to address your organization's specific connection challenges.
Does Rob Lawless offer virtual keynote presentations?
Yes, absolutely. Rob delivers compelling virtual keynote experiences that translate his interactive connection exercises and storytelling to digital platforms. His experience building meaningful relationships across 90+ countries and understanding diverse communication styles ensures engaging virtual delivery. Rob understands that connection in virtual environments requires different techniques, and he's adapted his FRIEND framework specifically for remote teams and digital interactions. He's experienced with all major virtual event platforms and can customize his interactive elements to match your specific virtual setup.
How long is Rob's typical keynote speech?
Rob's keynote presentations are typically 45-60 minutes. However, he's highly flexible and works with meeting planners to create the perfect timing and format for your event. Whether you need a powerful opening keynote to set the tone for connection throughout your conference, a closing session that sends attendees home inspired to build relationships, or interactive workshops where participants practice FRIEND framework skills, Rob adapts accordingly. He can also include extended Q&A sessions, breakout exercises, or panel participation as part of your event programming.
Can Rob customize his keynote for our specific industry?
Absolutely. Rob works closely with event organizers to understand your organization's specific connection challenges, culture dynamics, and desired outcomes. His 10K Friends project spans incredible diversity—from corporate executives to artists, healthcare workers to entrepreneurs, athletes to educators—giving him deep insight into how connection principles apply across different contexts and industries. Whether your audience works in finance, healthcare, technology, associations, nonprofits, or any other sector, Rob ensures his FRIEND framework and storytelling examples resonate with their specific experiences. His message of intentional connection is universal, but his applications are tailored to your unique organizational situation and challenges.
What can we expect from working with Select Voices to book Rob Lawless?
Select Voices operates as a boutique speaker bureau, providing personalized attention throughout the entire booking process. We know Rob personally and have complete confidence in his ability to deliver a transformative keynote experience that combines authentic storytelling with practical, immediately applicable connection strategies. We handle all logistics including contracts, travel arrangements, technical requirements (including any photography or video content from his 10K Friends journey), and pre-event coordination with Rob's team. You'll work directly with us to customize Rob's presentation content, decide on interactive elements, coordinate timing, and ensure every detail aligns with your event vision and connection goals. Our goal is making your event unforgettable while providing a seamless, stress-free booking experience from inquiry to post-event follow-up.
Book Human Connection Keynote Speaker Rob Lawless for Your Event
Ready to transform your workplace culture through the power of genuine human connection? We know Rob personally and trust him completely to deliver a keynote experience that inspires your team to build deeper relationships, combat loneliness, and create environments where people truly want to contribute. Fill out the form below and we'll be in touch within 24 hours to discuss availability, pricing, and how we can customize Rob's presentation for your audience.