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Keynote SpeakerRolf Dobelli

Novelist, non-fiction writer and entrepreneur, author The Art of Thinking Clearly, The Art of the Good Life & Stop Reading the News

Rolf Dobelli is a bestselling author and entrepreneur. In his bestsellers – including ‘The Art of Clear Thinking’ – he recommends that readers adopt a healthy scepticism towards mass opinions, illusions and well-trodden paths. His books are available in more than thirty languages and have already sold millions of copies.... Read more

Watch Rolf Dobelli in action

Popular Talks by Rolf Dobelli

  • The Art of Thinking Clearly
  • The Art of the Good Life: How to detect and avoid thinking errors
  • Stop Reading the News
  • How to improve the quality of your decisions
  • How to get rid of toxic emotions
  • Transforming Your Thinking
  • Decision Making

Biography

Rolf Dobelli is a bestselling author and entrepreneur. In his bestsellers – including ‘The Art of Clear Thinking’ – he recommends that readers adopt a healthy scepticism towards mass opinions, illusions and well-trodden paths. His books are available in more than thirty languages and have already sold millions of copies.

Rolf Dobelli (*1966) studied philosophy and business administration at the University of St. Gallen and gained a doctorate in philosophy. He then obtained a commercial pilot’s licence and held leading positions in business, for example as CFO and managing director of various subsidiaries of Swissair. In 1999, he founded his own company together with friends, getAbstract, which is now the world’s largest publisher of summarised business literature.

When Dobelli turned 35, he began writing – and with great success. Several of his non-fiction books and novels became international bestsellers and were on the international bestseller lists in Germany, Great Britain, Ireland, Hong Kong, Singapore, Korea and Japan for months. ‘The Art of Clear Thinking’ attracted a great deal of attention and spent several months at the top of the Spiegel bestseller list, becoming Spiegel Bestseller of the Year 2012.

Dobelli wrote weekly columns for German and Swiss newspapers like Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ), Die Zeit and both the Handelsblatt and the NZZ.  In addition, Rolf Dobelli regularly writes book reviews for The Washington Post and his commentaries appear in The Economist, The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, Financial Times, NZZ, Handelsblatt and on CNN, among others. With the exception of The New Yorker, Science and Nature magazines, he does not consume any news. But all the more books. He is the founder and director of WORLD.MINDS, a community of leading personalities from science, culture, geopolitics and business. Rolf Dobelli is a member of edge.org, PEN and serves on the advisory board of the Swiss-American Chamber of Commerce.

Rolf Dobelli gives entertaining keynotes on the topics of his bestsellers. In an instructive and entertaining way, he shows, among other things, how to recognise thinking traps, avoid behavioural errors and increase the quality of decisions, how to avoid toxic emotions or distraction by irrelevant things.

Books:

The Not-To-Do List: The Surprisingly Simple Art of Success, 2025

Stop reading the News, 2020

The Art of the Good Life, 2017

The Art of Thinking Clearly, 2013

 

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How to book Rolf Dobelli as a keynote speaker

How do I book Rolf Dobelli for a keynote speech?

You can book Rolf Dobelli through London Speaker Bureau by submitting the enquiry form on this page or calling our team. One of our consultants will respond promptly with Rolf's current availability, speaking fees and any specific requirements for your event.

What are Rolf Dobelli's speaking fees?

Rolf Dobelli's speaking fees depend on the event format (in-person or virtual), the location, the length of the engagement and the level of customisation required. Please contact London Speaker Bureau for an up-to-date fee quote for Rolf tailored to your event.

What topics does Rolf Dobelli speak about?

Rolf Dobelli speaks on Artificial Intelligence, Behaviour, Business & Management, Communication, Conflict Resolution. Talks can be shaped around your audience, industry and strategic objectives - share your event brief with London Speaker Bureau and we will work with Rolf to align the content with your delegates and goals.

Is Rolf Dobelli available for international events?

London Speaker Bureau can book Rolf Dobelli for events worldwide, subject to Rolf's schedule. Please send us your event date, location and format and we will confirm availability and handle travel and logistics on your behalf.

Does Rolf Dobelli deliver virtual or online keynotes?

Virtual and hybrid keynotes are now a standard part of the speaking industry. Please contact London Speaker Bureau to confirm whether Rolf Dobelli is available to deliver a virtual session for your event and on which platform (Zoom, Microsoft Teams, a bespoke studio or your own).

How long is a typical keynote by Rolf Dobelli?

Most keynote speeches run between 45 and 60 minutes, often followed by a 15-30 minute Q&A. Other formats - shorter conference slots, panel appearances or longer workshop sessions - may also be possible. Share your agenda with London Speaker Bureau and we will confirm what Rolf can accommodate.

Can Rolf Dobelli tailor the keynote to our industry and audience?

London Speaker Bureau will brief Rolf Dobelli on your audience profile, sector and objectives so the keynote can be shaped around your event. The level of customisation possible depends on the speaker and the lead time - contact us with your brief and we will confirm what Rolf can offer.

What languages does Rolf Dobelli present in?

Rolf Dobelli delivers keynotes in English, French, German. This profile may not list every language available; ask London Speaker Bureau to confirm. If you require simultaneous interpretation or a multilingual format, please mention this in your enquiry and London Speaker Bureau will arrange it for you.

What makes Rolf Dobelli a strong fit as a keynote speaker?

Rolf Dobelli's areas of expertise include Artificial Intelligence, Behaviour, Business & Management, Communication, Conflict Resolution. To get a clear sense of Rolf's style, credentials and how they engage an audience, please review the biography, popular talks and any videos or testimonials shown on this page, or request a detailed speaker brief from London Speaker Bureau.

What kind of events can Rolf Dobelli speak at?

Rolf Dobelli can be booked through London Speaker Bureau for corporate conferences, leadership events, internal team meetings, association gatherings and private client engagements where expertise in Artificial Intelligence, Behaviour, Business & Management, Communication, Conflict Resolution is relevant. Details of Rolf's background and previous engagements are included in the biography above; contact us if you would like a more detailed list of past clients or case studies.

Does Rolf Dobelli offer workshops, panels or fireside chats in addition to keynotes?

Beyond keynote speeches, many of the speakers on our roster also take part in workshops, executive masterclasses, panel discussions and fireside chats. Contact London Speaker Bureau with your preferred format and we will confirm what Rolf Dobelli is able to offer alongside or instead of a keynote.

How far in advance should we book Rolf Dobelli?

We generally recommend enquiring at least three to twelve months in advance to secure your preferred date with Rolf Dobelli, particularly during peak conference seasons. Where possible we also accommodate shorter lead times - please contact London Speaker Bureau to check Rolf's current availability for your dates.