In this episode of MGMA Insights Podcast, host Daniel Williams sits down with Rob Lawless, founder of Rob's 10k Friends LLC and an upcoming keynote speaker at the MGMA Financial Conference. Rob shares his extraordinary mission to meet 10,000 different people for one hour each, exploring the profound value of human connection. This episode offers medical practice leaders a unique perspective on building meaningful relationships, improving workplace engagement, and understanding the power of intentional interactions.

Key Takeaways:

The FRIEND Framework for Meaningful Connections:

• F: Family 
• R: Relationships
• I: Industry (career and education path)
• E: Entertainment (hobbies outside work)
• N: Needs
• D: Dreams for the future

Problem-Solving Insights for Medical Practice Leaders:
Improving Employee Engagement: Rob suggests taking an hour to sit with employees, actively listen, and write their stories back to them. This approach:

• Forces active listening
• Creates a sense of being truly seen and heard
• Potentially increases talent retention
• Builds deeper workplace connections

Connection Strategy: 

• Rob emphasizes that "no one really knows what they're doing with their lives" and everyone is "doing the best they can with the resources they have."

Notable Quotes:

• "Every human interaction, no matter how brief, has the potential to change your life."
• "The act of writing people's stories afterwards forces you to be present."

Resources:

• Rob Lawless on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/robs10kfriends/
• Connect with Rob Lawless on LinkedIn
• Upcoming Keynote: 2025 MGMA Financial Conference (April 13-15, Washington, DC) - Register Here