Matthew Syed is a journalist, writer, and high-performance expert who focuses on how divergent thinking drives teams. Known as "the ping-pong guy" thanks to his podcasting days with Freddie Flintoff and Robbie Savage, Matthew is also an accomplished broadcaster and former table tennis player. Drawing from his remarkable career, Matthew now assists top organizations in fostering a mindset of continuous improvement.
Matthew has written seven bestselling books on mindset and high performance and has worked with many leading organisations to build a continuous improvement mindset. His book titles include Rebel Ideas, Black Box Thinking, Bounce, The Greatest, and his celebrated children’s books, What do you think? You Are Awesome and Dare To Be You. He is also a multi-award-winning journalist for The Times and The Sunday Times and presenter of the popular BBC Radio 4 programme Sideways. Matthew is a regular contributor to television and radio and, in his previous career, was the England table tennis number one for almost a decade.
Matthew’s work explores a thought-provoking approach to high performance in a complex and fast-changing world. By understanding the intimate connection between mindset and high performance, organisations can unlock untapped potential in individuals and teams, driving innovation and agility to secure a future-proofed environment.
He shares compelling examples from various fields, such as healthcare, business, education, sport, and even his experience co-authoring David Beckham's autobiography. Matthew emphasizes the importance of implementing a growth culture and its positive impact on individual and organisational performance.
Leveraging insights from his bestselling book, Rebel Ideas, Matthew underscores the critical role of diverse thinking in every organization. He has had the privilege of speaking to major companies like Apple and Microsoft and most recently served as an advisor to the England football team during the 2020 Euros.
Want to book Matthew Syed for your next event?
Email matthew.syed@getapeptalk.com, and one of our speaker agents will be in touch within hours to confirm availability and fees.
What topics does Matthew Syed specialise in?
Matthew Syed specialises in talking about divergent thinking, high performance, continuous improvement and more.
What is Matthew Syed's speaking style like?
Matthew captivates audiences with his insightful and engaging speaking style. His thought-provoking talks, rich with compelling examples, inspire continuous improvement and highlight the importance of diverse thinking in driving high performance. AI summary based on real event feedback.
Does Matthew Syed offer virtual speaking engagements?
Yes, Matthew Syed offers virtual speaker bookings for webinars, online conferences, and remote or distributed team engagements.
An outstanding motivational speaker, Matthew Syed has worked with some of the world’s leading organisations to build a mindset of continuous improvement. Using compelling examples from healthcare, aviation, business, education, sport and the criminal justice system, Matthew’s keynote will highlight how to implement a growth culture and the difference this can have on performance – both at an individual level and at an organisational level.
This speech explores the inspiring journeys of athletes preparing for the 2024 Paris Olympics. It focuses on their rigorous training, personal sacrifices, and the mental and physical resilience required to compete at the highest level, celebrating their dedication and the spirit of the Olympic Games.
