Speak to the human autumn brunch
with Matthew Syed
12th November 2025 Underwood Lofts, London, N1 7JQ
The Power of Cognitive Diversity, with Matthew Syed
We are delighted to bring you an exciting new event in the ‘Speak to the Human’ calendar, featuring acclaimed broadcaster and author, Matthew Syed.
Join us on Wednesday 12th November, 8:30-10:30am
Underwood Lofts, 6-14 Underwood St, London, N1 7JQ
Book your place
Success is no longer just about talent, or knowledge or skill. Today, it is also about freeing ourselves from the blinkers and blind spots that beset us all and harnessing a critical new ingredient: cognitive diversity.
Cognitive diversity can strengthen any institution or team; it challenges hierarchies, encourages constructive disagreement, and forces us to think again about where the best ideas really come from. But it also offers dozens of individual applications too: from the art of personal reinvention, to breaking free of the echo chambers that surround us all.
Matthew draws on cutting-edge research in psychology, economics and anthropology, and lessons from a dazzling range of case studies, including the catastrophic intelligence failings of the CIA before 9/11, a communication breakdown at the top of Mount Everest and a moving tale of deradicalisation in America's Deep South.
Matthew offers a radical new approach to success and a route map to how we can tackle our most complex challenges in the workplace and beyond.
About Matthew Syed
matthewsyed.co.uk/about-matthew/
Matthew has written seven bestselling books on mindset and high performance and has worked with many leading organisations to build a mindset of continuous improvement.
Matthew’s book titles include Rebel Ideas, Black Box Thinking, Bounce, The Greatest, as well as celebrated children’s books. He is also a multi-award-winning journalist for The Times and The Sunday Times, presenter of the popular BBC Radio 4 programme, Sideways, and a regular contributor to television and radio.
An Olympian in his previous career, Matthew was the England table tennis number one for almost a decade. He won the men’s singles at the Commonwealth Championships three times, and competed for Great Britain in the Olympic Games in Barcelona in 1992 and Sydney in 2000.
Book your place
Who is the event for?
- Leaders and practitioners working in L&D, internal comms, HR, and any other business areas where there is a need to engage employees.
- This will be relevant across sectors and for different types of organisations.
Venue
Underwood Lofts, 6-14 Underwood St, London N1 7JQ
maps.app.goo.gl/R3oy46vuTiE8uxsn8
Nearest tube station: Old Street (exit 4, Moorlands Eye Hospital)
Tickets
Tickets are £50.
Please see T&Cs in Eventbrite. Places are non-refundable, but can be transferred to another person with 7 days’ notice (i.e. by Wednesday 5th November).
What’s included?
Your ticket includes brunch with hot/cold drinks and entry to the talk.
Please specify any dietary requirements when prompted during the booking process.
Book your place
About ‘Speak to the Human’
‘Speak to the Human’ has grown over the past four years, based on a vibrant, in-person event in Cambridge every June. The concept is to bring together leaders working across people, comms, change, L&D, operations, leadership… anyone who needs to engage employees or deliver internal change. We connect people, create energy, and provide the chance to hear from inspiring speakers as well as to share ideas together with peers in similar roles.
In 2024 we launched our podcast, which you can find here: Speak to the Human podcast
From participants at our ‘Speak to the Human’ June event...
“One of the best events I have been to.”
“I feel energised and full of ideas and creativity. Huge thank you.”
Drop us a note with any questions!... hello@acteoncommunication.com
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