Counter-Intelligence: What the Secret World Can Teach Us About Problem-solving and Creativity

by Robert Hannigan

From the codebreakers and problem solvers, to the engineers, mathematicians and other problem-solvers – what the secret world can teach us about performance and creativity

How do you hire smart people who can work together to prevent terrorist attacks and decode encrypted technology?

How do you come up with creative, counterintuitive solutions to solve major global problems?

How do you provide the right environment for these people to thrive and work at their best when under immense pressure?

Written by Robert Hannigan, the former Director of GCHQ, this book explores the role of the counter-intelligence services in history and today’s world – from the codebreakers and problem solvers, to innovation and creativity, secrecy and transparency and the global tech community. It will trace the history of counter-intelligence – from the early days of Bletchley Park, to the ongoing work of GCHQ – while reflecting on some of the unique characteristics of the engineers, mathematicians and other problem-solvers that make up the world’s intelligence community.

An exhaustive and authoritative account of the history of counter-intelligence from Bletchley Park to modern day GCHQ, this brilliant and unique book will appeal to business readers, history readers and fans of smart thinking and big ideas around the world.

Genres: Nonfiction, Business, History, Espionage, Psychology

328 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 23, 2024

Reviews

[Wing · Rating 3 out of 5]

Written by a former head of GCHQ, this book is primarily a very entertaining collection of anecdotes. They illustrate how a good signal intelligence agency should be run. It should be unapologetically “meritocratic, non-hierarchical, innovative and progressive” (p.133). It needs “a culture of tolerating diversity” (p.160) because “healthy diversity is the best chance of inoculating an organisation against the myriad natural forms of bias” (p.163). The values that it champions should include: “the importance of detachment from work, the value of humility and the critical contribution of strong outside interests” (p.288). The author’s arguments are convincing. Indeed, all organisations can learn from these characteristics and strengths. As mentioned, the book is very entertaining. However, it is a bit repetitive and short of technical details. Three stars.

[Scot Corr · Rating 3 out of 5]

This didnt exactly cover much about creativity, problem solving, puzzles or different ways of thinking. Mostly a historical account of Bletchly Park in the 1940s, with the odd paragraph about how their unique or atypical approach to cryptography was what made them effective. It was interesting to me but felt let down that it really didn't deliver what it said it would.

[Julian Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating, intriguing, and highly relevant to anyone involved in building a successful team of people for any reason, this is a gem of a book.

Giving a historical perspective and insights into the world of intelligence, the author shows the benefits of diverse think - not because it is fashionable, but because it is essential for success.

I was sent a copy of this by a friend, and was thrilled with the outcome - an engrossing and hugely stimulating read.

[Jacob Povah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very interesting read that highlights how we can think outside the box to solve contemporary problems. Particularly enjoyable to read of the code breaking efforts during the Second World War along with many more examples of how these teams were put together, and how this can inform decision making in other industries and the corporate world.

[Uffe Jon Ploug · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book is moderately interesting if you want to know about Bletchley Park but does not really focus on what the title says. I bought the book about problem solving and creativity which had little relevant to say about these topics (at least the learnings about it). The book is a bit “meh” but would get three stars if the title hadn’t been so completely wrong.

[Honestmitten · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really interesting… I only wish when the Careers Advice Bus visited our school in the 70’s that in addition to to two choices on offer - bank clerk or secretary - they could have suggested ‘neuro diverse genius’. - the closest it appears I got was working at John Lewis Oxford Street (in the wrong decade) still, as I always say, ‘never too old ‘ now pass me the Telegraph crossword…

[Andreas Kennardi · Rating 3 out of 5]

this book is mostly about history of secret intelligence in uk and some from the rest of the world.

would be interesting if secret intelligence in every countries operate based on the same philosophy like uk does.

[Ashley · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.1

[Stephen Ratcliff · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not sure this really said anything...
A few interesting things about Bletchley Park and the history of GCHQ but other than that I'm not really sure what the point was

[Q Song · Rating 3 out of 5]

Started quite interesting with the historical background but somehow not grabbing the readers' attention enough as it flows to modern day.

[nicholas · Rating 4 out of 5]

A light history full of compelling anecdotes and decent arguments to prompt (but I think not deeply commit to persuade) some reflection on the nature of work and organisations.

[Matt Lee · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was counter my intelligence in that I felt I learnt less the more I read

[Marion · Rating 3 out of 5]

Robert Hannigan really, really love GCHQ, as you'll notice by reading this book. I'm not sure exactly what the secret world can teach us about problem-solving and creativity because all this book says is that lots of people at GCHQ are neurodivergent and their hierarchy is mostly flat. Maybe Robert Hannigan would live to go to a tech startup and see how similar they are?

I expected a lot more depth and width from a book that ends up talking so much about a single organisation - and mostly about its past as well. Also ironic how he talks so much about Bletchley Park and Donald Michie yet completely omits Kellogg College in its spiel about Oxford.

You will find nothing of substance here unless you just want a basic history of Bletchley Park and some platitudes about how it's great to work for GCHQ and everyone's lovely.

[C.B. · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Counter-Intelligence" offers some fascinating snippets of GCHQ history and colourful characters, yet falls short of its aim to provide business insights and advice. The inherently secretive nature of intelligence work means that truly applicable 'lessons' (subtitle: "What the Secret World Can Teach Us") would obviously be classified. Instead, we're left with platitudes about workforce diversity and a strained attempt to fit some spy stories into a 'business book mould'. Whilst the historical titbits are engaging, the book somewhat disappoints.