Jedi techniques and recipes from Hogwarts: what financiers read

The MIF publishing house presented statistics on which books are most often read by employees of companies and corporations from the financial sector. These are mainly publications that help develop soft skills and improve the quality of life

The selection is based on the data of approximately 45 thousand users, 7 companies from the financial sector that use the “Electronic Library” service from MIF. In the top were publications that help to improve flexible skills, increase productivity and find balance in life.

Here’s what the top 10 downloaded books look like:

We asked Dilyara Cherkas, head of the MIF publishing house’s sales and service support group, to comment on the selection:

“This top clearly demonstrates the main trends of recent times. Firstly, our clients need to make decisions quickly, but carefully, they do not have time to think. So they look to books for practical tools and draw on the experience of masters like Adam Grant (Think Again) or Ray Dalio (Principles).

Secondly, the value of competent communication is growing. And high-quality interaction is impossible without understanding what you feel yourself and what others feel. Hence the interest in books aimed at developing emotional intelligence (Emotional Intelligence, How to Talk to Assholes).

Finally, companies are paying more and more attention to improving the quality of life of their employees – and this is reflected, among other things, in the choice of books. Not surprisingly, titles like Time for Yourself, Morning Magic, The Thursday Murder Club, and The Unofficial Hogwarts Cookbook were at the top. It’s impossible to stay productive by focusing only on work, it leads to burnout.”

Priorities in business (communication, decision making)

“Emotional Intelligence” by Daniel Goleman

A classic guide to emotional intelligence, first published in 1995. Since then, the book has been translated into 48 languages ​​and has sold over 5 million copies. Its author, psychologist Daniel Goleman, was the first to introduce the concept of emotional intelligence (EQ) and proved that it means no less than IQ for a person’s success. In this book, Goleman talks in detail, with examples from his own life, about the importance of empathy, teaches you to recognize and manage your emotions, cope with anger and rage, anxiety and sadness, and also describes the basics of emotional literacy.

“How to Talk to Assholes” by Mark Goulston

In this book, psychiatrist Mark Goulston shares his best practices for reaching people who are extremely difficult to communicate with. Goulston has a lot of experience in this area: over the years he has been reconciling feuding colleagues and saving marriages, and then created a negotiation course for the FBI. You will learn how to keep under control the unstable and simply difficult people you encounter at work, in the store or even at home. Under the cover – 14 ways to communicate, 8 methods to cope with insanity in your personal life, tips on how to recognize a real mental disorder and how to turn any conversation into a constructive channel. Suitable for everyone who has ever dealt with unbalanced people at least once in their life.

“Think Again” by Adam Grant

A lot has been said about emotional intelligence, but scientist and psychologist Adam Grant highlights another component, without which it is impossible to succeed in the modern world. It is the ability to reconsider one’s views and rethink established beliefs. It is this skill that the book “Think Again” is dedicated to. It consists almost entirely of stories, witty observations and ironic graphics, so it reads in one breath. Having learned to critically assess reality and value mental flexibility over stupid consistency, we simultaneously learn to make more informed decisions, says Adam Grant. Which is especially important in the world of information wars and fake news.

“Principles” by Ray Dalio

Ray Dalio is the founder of Bridgewater Associates, the world’s largest hedge fund. In his book, he compiled the main principles that have guided him for the past 40 years, including “radical transparency” and “radical truthfulness.” These principles helped Dalio not only enter the list of the 100 most influential people on the planet (according to Time), but also change the entire industry – it is no coincidence that CIO magazine called Dalio the “Steve Jobs of investing.” Bill Gates, German Gref – these are just some of those who consider the “Principles” to be their reference book. It will be useful not only to managers and business owners, but also to all employees of the financial sector, as well as to those who are interested in the topics of leadership and management.

Improving the quality of life

“Magic in the Morning” Hal Elrod

Rare books can change not only our attitude to life, but also our behavior. Morning Magic is one of them. Morning rituals helped author Hal Elrod recover from his accident even though doctors said he would never walk. Having recovered, Hal continued to follow his morning habits. He entered the Hall of Fame of the corporation where he worked, ran an ultramarathon, published several bestsellers. The idea is simple: start with the right setting for the first hour after waking up, and you will notice how you start to change.

“Time for Yourself”, Katherine Orzesz

A book with 52 simple practices – one for each week of the year. You can do them in any order, each takes no more than five minutes. This is a mixture of meditation and mindfulness exercises that help you slow down, pay attention to your own thoughts and feel connected to yourself and the world around you. All the practices were brought together by Katherine Augesch, a family psychologist, lecturer in the Department of Psychiatry and co-director of the Montreal Mindfulness Center. The book is suitable for anyone who is tired of the rhythm of the modern city and the constant race for achievements and wants to better understand himself.

“Jedi Techniques”, Maxim Dorofeev

A bestseller from Maxim Dorofeev, a procrastinologist and personal development coach, on how to increase your own productivity in simple ways. Each of us is a Jedi, capable of directing his power to important tasks, the author believes. To do this, you need to learn not to waste precious “thought fuel” and deal with the “fast monkey” and “panic monster” that live in our heads. Based on modern knowledge about the psychology and physiology of the brain, Dorofeev has developed his own system of dealing with procrastination – and explains it easily and with humor. All the tips are easy to immediately apply in life to save yourself from the collapse of congestion.

“Work for love”, Olga Lermontova

It is generally accepted that “building a career” is not for everyone, because it means going over the heads, weaving intrigues and trying in every way to rise above. Career strategist Olga Lermontova refutes this thesis in her book Work for Love. Career, she believes, is how we want to see our professional life. So, it is important for everyone to work on it. In the book, Olga dispels the most popular career-related myths, tells why it is so important to do what you love, and what skills are important to develop for this. It also inspires everyone to start realizing their dreams – and explains why most often this does not even require changing jobs.

For the soul

Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman

The top fiction bestseller of 2021 is a detective story about four old men who come together every week to investigate cold cases from a police file. Until one day they are faced with two real-life murders. The author of the Thursday Murder Club, British TV presenter Richard Osman, has been compared either to Agatha Christie or to Frederick Backman. From the first here – an intricate detective intrigue and classic English flavor, from the second – good humor and colorful characters. In the UK, the novel has sold a record number of copies – and the release of the continuation is just around the corner. Cozy reading for cold evenings with a cup of hot tea.

The Unofficial Hogwarts Cookbook by Rita Mock-Pike

Another book just for the soul. One that is nice to just flip through in search of inspiration. Especially if you are a fan of the Harry Potter novels. Under the cover – dozens of recipes based on the magical world. Licorice sticks, chocolate frogs, Christmas pudding, Hagrid’s stone cupcakes, Polyjuice Potion, all can be made at home with simple ingredients. A great way to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday life and feel like you’re at a feast in the Great Hall of Hogwarts.