What is the secret of high performance?
Matthew Syed is one of the world’s most influential thinkers on the science of high performance. He has provided keynotes, consultancy and thought-leadership to many of the most cutting-edge organisations on the planet including Google, Amazon, Goldman Sachs, McKinsey, BP, Arsenal FC, Harvard School of Government, Saracens, Insead and Oxford University.
His latest book, Black Box Thinking, is about how to gain an edge in a complex, rapidly-changing world. It focusses on how to identify and pursue marginal gains, how to boost creativity, and argues that individuals and organisations cannot excel unless they are prepared to learn from their mistakes. It also shines a light on the astonishing psychological biases that can prevent us from reaching our potential.
Black Box Thinking has had a big impact on innovative business, schools and sports teams, as well as national governments. It inspired the creation of the Independent Health Safety Investigation Branch for the NHS, with legally protected safe spaces for clinicians to speak up about errors. He worked with the UK Health Secretary on a series of other reforms, including a Learning from Mistakes league table for hospitals.
His first book, Bounce, challenged the prevailing wisdom about the primary importance of talent, painting a picture of success that emphasises purposeful practice, mindset and smart risk-taking. An international bestseller, it has influenced coaches in almost every sport, on almost every continent. The lessons have been actively used by more than a dozen FTSE100 companies. Read more
