Matthew Syed is a British journalist and author known for insightful non-fiction. His books, including Bounce and Black Box Thinking, explore performance, mindset, and innovation, offering practical perspectives on achieving success and learning from failure.
If you enjoy reading books by Matthew Syed then you might also like the following authors:
Angela Duckworth is a psychologist focused on the concept of perseverance—she calls this trait "grit." In her book, Grit: The Power of Passion and Perseverance, she explores how passion and sustained effort predict success more reliably than sheer talent.
If you like Syed’s mix of psychology, real-life examples, and practical applications, you'll appreciate Duckworth’s clear, engaging approach.
Carol Dweck is known primarily for her groundbreaking research on mindsets. Her book, Mindset: The New Psychology of Success, argues that adopting a "growth mindset"—believing you can develop your abilities through effort and persistence—is key to achievement.
Readers attracted to Syed’s exploration of talent and success will find Dweck's ideas helpful, relevant, and inspiring.
Adam Grant examines human behavior and decision-making in organizations through storytelling and insightful research. In Originals: How Non-Conformists Move the World, he highlights the unique traits and habits of creative thinkers who challenge norms.
Readers who enjoy Syed's ability to challenge conventional wisdom with engaging evidence will find Grant’s fresh perspectives and practical examples equally enjoyable.
Daniel Kahneman, a psychologist and Nobel laureate in economics, offers insights into cognitive biases and how they shape decision-making.
His work, Thinking, Fast and Slow, reveals two systems of thinking—a quick intuitive system and a slower, logical one—and explores their influence on judgment and action.
Readers who enjoy Syed’s exploration of human psychology and decision processes will appreciate Kahneman’s thoughtful and accessible explanations.
Malcolm Gladwell blends psychology, social science, and compelling stories to create thought-provoking observations about human behavior.
His book, Outliers: The Story of Success, investigates the hidden factors shaping extraordinary achievers, such as timing, practice, and circumstance.
For readers drawn to Syed’s lively analysis of success and evidence-based storytelling, Gladwell offers a similarly accessible and enjoyable reading experience.
Charles Duhigg explains human behavior with clear and relatable examples. He explores habits and how they shape our lives. If you liked Matthew Syed's exploration of how performance can improve through intentional practice, you'll enjoy Duhigg's The Power of Habit.
The book describes how habits form and how we can change them to achieve personal and professional success.
James Clear writes clearly and directly, focusing on practical improvement and personal growth. He explores themes like small changes and daily habits that add up over time. Fans of Syed's ideas on incremental improvement may find Clear's Atomic Habits useful.
It provides straightforward advice on making simple but significant changes for lasting improvement.
Tim Harford uses clear reasoning and engaging examples to explain how economics and behavioral thinking affect everyday life. He makes complicated ideas understandable, just like Matthew Syed.
Readers who appreciate Syed's insights on human behavior and performance will find Harford's Adapt interesting. This book explains how adapting and learning from failures can help people and organizations thrive.
Steven Johnson writes about creativity, innovation, and how great ideas emerge. He explains his concepts clearly using engaging stories and historical examples.
Readers intrigued by Syed's exploration of creativity and the conditions that support excellence may enjoy Johnson's Where Good Ideas Come From. The book explores the environments and processes that foster new ideas and breakthroughs.
Dan Ariely studies why people behave irrationally and how our thinking can mislead us. He explains psychology clearly and with humor, demonstrating how behavior can defy common assumptions.
If you enjoyed Syed's insights into psychological factors affecting performance, you'll like Ariely's Predictably Irrational. It's filled with fascinating examples of human decision-making, showing why we often make surprising and irrational choices.
Nassim Nicholas Taleb explores uncertainty, risk, and how unpredictable events shape the world. He uses thought-provoking ideas and real-life examples to challenge conventional wisdom.
His book The Black Swan explores rare and unexpected events, highlighting their powerful impact and why we consistently fail to anticipate them.
Ryan Holiday applies practical wisdom from ancient philosophy to modern-day life. He writes clearly and directly, offering useful advice about overcoming obstacles, maximizing potential, and achieving lasting success.
His book The Obstacle is the Way teaches readers how to turn challenges or setbacks into opportunities for growth.
Atul Gawande writes insightfully about healthcare, human error, and the complexity of decision-making. His accessible style and personal storytelling bring important ideas alive and help readers see common problems with fresh eyes.
In The Checklist Manifesto, he shows how using simple checklists in complex tasks can drastically reduce errors and increase performance.
Shane Parrish shares practical insights about thinking clearly, deciding wisely, and living thoughtfully. Through examples and straightforward language, he guides readers toward better decision-making and clearer thinking.
In The Great Mental Models, Parrish provides readers with durable frameworks to analyze and approach life's challenges.
Chip Heath writes engagingly about the factors influencing decision-making, communication, and lasting change. He breaks down complex concepts into memorable stories, frequently offering easy-to-use tips readers can apply to their lives.
His book Made to Stick, co-authored with Dan Heath, explores why some ideas endure and others fall by the wayside, offering simple principles for making impactful messages.