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Leadership Keynote

Leadership Keynote
for Corporate Events.

Your team is disconnected. The usual "leadership hacks" aren't working. It’s time to change the story.

Robert Xavier Fogarty is a leadership keynote speaker who helps organizations build resilience and empathy through the power of authentic storytelling. Based in Utah and serving clients globally, Robert moves audiences from "passive listeners" to "active leaders."

How does storytelling improve leadership?

The Brain Tattoo method helps leaders distill their core message into a single, memorable phrase. This interactive methodology builds trust, increases team trust by 94%, and reduces turnover intent by 30% — turning passive managers into authentic, story-driven leaders.

Happy Clients

Google
PayPal
Salesforce
Accenture
AIG New Logo
ATD Logo
Allstate
Intel
UBS
Cisco
American Express
BDO Deutsche Warentreuhand
Blue Cross Blue Shield
Duke Blue Devils
Equinix
Genentech
Harvard
John Hancock Insurance
PWC
First Horizon National Corp
Realty One
Stanford University
Young Presidents Organization
Thrivent
Verizon
Voya Financial
Walmart
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"I’ve been doing leadership summits and leadership events my entire career, and I can honestly say this was the best experience I’ve ever had."
Alex Chriss, CEO, PayPal
PayPal
"Dear World gave us the opportunity to share intimate moments with the people we love and with the people we were trying to build a tremendous amount of trust with. There is no greater trust than telling someone something deeply personal about yourself. When the whole team does that, you don’t just have a chance to become closer — you do. It had nothing to do with basketball, and yet it had everything to do with basketball. It created a more trusting environment where you could teach better defense, better offense, and build a stronger system of communication, because people weren’t holding anything back."
Mike Krzyzewski, Duke University
Duke
"As the Executive Producer for our largest event, I collaborate with many speakers, but Robert stands out as a true creative partner. He took the time to deeply understand our audience of critical care nurses and worked closely with our team to craft a program that felt authentic, thoughtful, and perfectly aligned with our goals. What he delivered on stage was far more than a keynote. It was a shared experience that invited our audience to reflect, connect, and recognize the power of their own stories. Robert's ability to collaborate, listen, and co-create made the entire process seamless and incredibly rewarding."
Jennifer Bitting, Executive Producer, National Teaching Institute
AACN
"Because of Dear World, we are better able to tell our story and spark curiosity about who we are, where we came from, and where we are going. Every Airman has a story — and this work made a huge difference in mine."
Lt. Gen. VeraLinn “Dash” Jamieson, Ret., United States Air Force
United States Air Force
"I’ve never seen an exercise break down barriers faster than this one. If you want a group to connect and bond quickly, I would highly recommend Dear World."
Malaika Myers, CHRO, Hyatt Hotels Corporation
Hyatt
"If you are building an organization that values belonging, engagement, and mental health, you need the right tools. Dear World is the strongest tool I’ve seen for helping people understand themselves and connect authentically with others."
Daniel Raedel, Psy.D., Licensed Clinical Psychologist
"Dear World opens the door to honest communication and gives students the courage to take risks and share their stories."
Stephanie Barksdale, Tulane University
Tulane
"Dear World strengthened relationships and the trust on my team because they provide a process that is authentic, safe and memorable for us to truly tell our stories and to listen to our colleagues"
Thomas Fuchs, VP, Market Analysis and Strategy Genentech
Genentech
"Dear World makes friends of stranger. What they have to say. What we get to see. Captured in a photograph. Their process is remarkable because colleagues truly begin understand the stories within their team."
Patty McCord, Former Chief Talent Officer, Netflix
Netflix

Why Hire a
Storytelling
Leadership Speaker?

Scribble Accent

Most leadership speeches are forgotten by lunch. Robert’s approach is different. By combining the viral impact of his "Dear World" project with actionable leadership strategies, he creates an experience that sticks.

We don't just lecture on leadership; we facilitate it.

  • Connect Dispersed Teams

    Bridge the gap between remote and in-person employees.

  • Build Trust and Connection

    Create an environment where employees feel safe to share bold ideas.

  • Unlock Hidden Talent

    Discover the unique stories and strengths already present in your workforce.

Keynote & Workshop Options

Flexible formats for your event's specific goals.
01

The Leadership Keynote

45–60 Minutes

Perfect for opening conferences or executive summits. Robert shares the "Dear World" methodology, teaching leaders how to use storytelling to influence culture and drive results.

Ideal for:

Conferences & Summits

02

The Interactive Workshop

Half-Day

A deep dive where your team doesn't just listen—they participate. Attendees will learn to craft their own "leadership stories" and share them, building instant trust and cohesion.

Ideal for:

Internal Teams & Offsites

03

Team Offsite Facilitation

Custom

Looking for a guest speaker who can facilitate real connection? Robert creates a custom agenda to match your event's specific goals.

Ideal for:

Strategy & Culture Offsites

Based in Utah,
Speaking Globally

While Robert travels internationally for events, he is proud to call Utah home. Whether your event is at a convention center in Salt Lake City or a hotel ballroom in Chicago, Robert brings the unique soul and resilience of his home base to your stage.

Support

FAQ

Your Experience

Customize
Your
Experience

Every team is different. Choose the format that fits your goals — from a high-energy keynote to a deep-dive workshop where your people photograph and interview each other. Each option builds psychological safety, trust, and measurable alignment.

01

Make meaning
of change

02

Build trust
quickly

03

Communicate
with clarity

What is the Brain Tattoo Method?

Interactive Keynote: 30–60 minutes

Write Your Future Activation: TBD Depending on Event

Storytelling Reveal: 20–60 minutes

The Brain Tattoo Method is a psychological safety tool designed by Dear World to build high-performing teams. It functions by asking participants to condense their personal story into a short phrase written on the body, bypassing corporate jargon to foster immediate human connection and long-term empathy.

What is the Portrait Process?

Opening Interactive Keynote Duration: 30–60 minutes

Portrait and Video Shoot: TBD Depending on Design

Storytelling Reveal Duration: 20–30 minutes

Following a live on-stage demonstration by Robert, participants interview and photograph one another—learning how to see someone differently through the lens.

What is Write Your Future?

Interactive Keynote: 30–60 minutes

Write Your Future Activation: TBD Depending on Event

Storytelling Reveal: 20–60 minutes

Participants are invited to pause, reflect, and write a private letter to the person they are becoming, capturing the intentions, commitments, and leadership truths they want to carry forward — designed and customized to the values or theme of the conference. The experience begins with a pre-selected leader reading a deeply personal letter on stage or a pre-made video. Fogarty then joins them in a dynamic conversation that reveals the story behind the letter and models the clarity required to lead with purpose. Attendees are then guided through writing their own letters, which are sealed and entrusted to Dear World for safekeeping. Organizations choose when Dear World mails the letters back to their participants or often choose to have them opened at the following year's meeting — reconnecting participants with the future they declared in the room the year before.

Ready to Transform?

Ready to Transform
Your Team?

Don't settle for a generic speech. Book a leadership experience that your team will talk about for years.

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