Workshops and Retreats Testimonials

Rob Cross is unique because he combines true academic expertise with an eminently practical view of the business world. As a result, he has been one of Lehman Brothers' most successful partners.

Rob's work on social network analysis, we believe, will be at the forefront of the next generation of thought about leadership development. He has found a way to quantify behaviors regarded as "soft" and demonstrated the link to the execution of business strategy, as well as to the success of high performing individuals.

At Lehman, Rob has worked with us to develop a group of 300 or so top potential Vice Presidents. He analyzed their networks and delivered results on the organizational, functional and individual levels. He then worked with us to develop a seminar that focused on helping the Vice Presidents replicate the networks of the most successful people in this group. Needless to say, the seminar was a huge success.

Based on that initial work, we are continuing to partner with Rob to work even more broadly within the organization, specifically on the execution of our strategy to deliver the firm to clients. His intelligence, knowledge and genuine interest in the practical applications of his work are the qualities we most value.

Lisa Vertucci
Managing Director, Talent Management, Lehman Brothers

Rob Cross has been a highly effective partner with us at Ketchum, working at the top levels of our firm as well as providing project guidance. He delivered a powerful presentation to our leadership team at the annual offsite which inspired our firm to push the network analysis ideas further. Rob has also helped us apply the ideas to build more effective networks within our agency, as well as to improve collaboration with our clients. Rob's network analysis expertise and tools are central to the business value we deliver to our clients. We expect our successful partnership to continue for many years!

Robert Burnside
Partner & Chief Learning Officer, Ketchum Inc.

As CIO of the Department of Homeland Security I faced enormous collaboration challenges within and between a range of agencies.  One of my jobs was to find ways to promote effective collaboration and coordination and introduce these different ways of thinking to my senior leadership team and CIOs across a range of agencies.  Rob spoke at an offsite I held for a senior audience and was well received because they could see a concept that gave them new and specific insights on collaborative challenges as well as a practical technique with direct application to our challenges.  The concepts and uses of network analysis were very well received by my team.  And Rob's interactive and collaborative style combined with his obvious expertise and practical orientation proved the right mixture to generate thought provoking conversations then and for the remainder of the retreat.

Steve Cooper
The First CIO of Homeland Security

Rob Cross has been instrumental in helping T. Rowe Price to develop a core competency in social network analysis. Rob's deep expertise in this area as well as his collaborative style have greatly helped to facilitate the acceptance of network analysis within T. Rowe Price. We've leveraged Rob as an off-site speaker, for guidance on the network assessment tool, and assistance in harvesting key findings. As T. Rowe continues to expand its global footprint, we intend to use network analysis to maximize knowledge sharing across the organization."

John H. Cammack
Head of Third Party Distribution, T. Rowe Price

Rob was well received by a senior audience because they could see a practical technique that has been used elsewhere and they could see how it could be applied in our organization. The concepts of ONA struck a very positive chord with the attendees because it provides insight into informal communication actually works and can be leveraged or be improved - and that we can somehow have control over that - whereas the formal structure is beyond the control of any one or group of individuals. The audience was very impressed with Rob's style and great command of the theory and practice (and art) of ONA. 

Adrian (Zeke) Wolfberg
U.S. Defense Intelligence Agency