John Murray to publish Syed creative problem solving guide

John Murray will publish a new book about creative problem-solving and "cognitive diversity" by Matthew Syed in September.

Rebel Ideas: The Power of Diverse Thinking, will be released in hardback on 10th September. John Murray picked up world rights for the book from Jonny Geller at Curtis Brown in its previous deal for Black Box Thinking.

Its synopsis explains: “Rebel Ideas examines where the best ideas come from and offers a radical blueprint for creative problem-solving. It challenges hierarchies, encourages constructive dissent, arguing that individual intelligence is no longer enough; that the only way to tackle the world’s complex problems such as terrorism and climate change, is to harness the power of our 'cognitive diversity.”

The book draws on psychology, economics, anthropology and genetics, and takes lessons from a range of case-studies, including the intelligence failings of the CIA before 9/11, a communication breakdown at the top of Mount Everest, and a tale of deradicalisation in America's deep south.

John Murray Press m.d. Nick Davies said: “Over the last few years Matthew has emerged as one of the world’s most inspiring, thought-provoking and wide-ranging writers on high performance. Rebel Ideas confirms this reputation. It offers a timely and impassioned challenge to traditional methods of problem-solving, and encourages all of us to embrace new and diverse perspectives.”

Syed’s previous books include Bounce (Fourth Estate) and You Are Awesome (Wren & Rook), which was named Children’s Illustrated and Non-Fiction Book of the Year at the British Book Awards. He writes an award-winning newspaper column in the Times and hosts the BBC podcast, “Flintoff, Savage and the Ping Pong Guy”.

He said: “I have never been more excited to publish a book. Rebel Ideas has a big concept at its heart, and one that could not be more important today. There is a lot of talk about the importance of diversity, but the benefits of engaging with different perspectives and thinking differently about the world, aren’t widely understood. My ambition is to leave readers with a sense of why diversity — and cognitive diversity in particular — is central to humanity, and why people who are open to different viewpoints will enjoy more fulfilling and successful lives.”