The recruitment company, Walters People, has asked some of its specialized consultants What is the book that has most influenced your career? and how reading it can help anyone grow professionally. Here is a selection:
Imperfect leadership: educating the leaders of the future (Jordi Alemany)
Jordi Alemany, Forbes Best Business Influencer 2022 and one of LinkedIn’s Top Voices, comments on his book that leadership is human, and as such, imperfect. This shows that any professional has the ability to lead other people and that there are countless theories and paradigms that prove it. But which one is correct.
What can we apply from this book in our professional career?
«Leading a team is a complex task. No two leaders are the same, but all good leaders have something in common: they have the ability to manage people correctly, they know how to ask the right questions and actively listen to their answers, and they always have an innovative and creative attitude.” comments Cristina Borreguero, Manager at Walters People.
This book proves that anyone can be a good leader You just have to keep in mind that the first essential step is to develop self-leadership before being able to lead teams and other people.
The author points out that there is no magic and perfect formula for leadership, but that there are only people who are experts in continuous learning, retrospection and active listening. This reading is mandatory for those people who aim to develop their professional career to the fullest and who aim to grow within their company.
The monk who sold his Ferrari (Robin Sharma)
It is the story of a successful lawyer who, after suffering a heart attack, decides to leave his life behind and settle in a Himalayan monastery, where he learns about inner peace and happiness.
What can we apply from this book in our professional career?
The book emphasizes the importance of having a clear and defined vision of what you want to achieve in life, also in the professional field. The principal character of the history, Julian Mantle, abandons his successful career as a lawyer to seek a more meaningful and fulfilling path in life. This sea change in his career demonstrates the importance of understanding what goals we want to accomplish and being willing to take whatever steps are necessary to achieve them.
The book suggests that happiness and job satisfaction are essential to a fulfilling and successful life. Julian Mantle’s story shows that professional satisfaction and success are not only measured by salary or prestige, but by the sense of achievement and personal satisfaction that is experienced.
“I think ‘The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari’ is an inspiring story about the importance of having a clear and defined vision of what your professional goals are, not only in the near future, but also in the long term. Knowing yourself and identifying the points you want to develop is the first step to progress in your current company or get the position you want”. argues Rafael Sanroma, Manager at Walters People.
Never eat alone (Keith Ferrazzi)
This book focuses on the importance of building strong, meaningful relationships in the professional world and how these relationships can drive success. The author ensures that effective networking It’s not just about meeting like-minded people.It’s about creating authentic, lasting bonds that can benefit you throughout a career.
What can we apply from this book in our professional career?
In terms of leadership, this book emphasizes the importance of being an approachable and transparent leader. He argues that the ability to connect with people is a key skill to be a successful leaderand that an accessible and transparent leader can foster a trusting and supportive environment in the workplace.
“Success is not achieved just by working hard, but you have to add persistence and commitment. Effective networking can help you overcome obstacles and any challenges you encounter throughout your professional career, which is why it is so important to build strong relationships that inspire you and provide you with support and motivation at different stages of your professional career”Analyzes Beatriz Rodríguez, Manager at Walters People.
Rich Dad Poor Dad (Robert Kiyosaki)
This book focuses on financial education and how beliefs and attitudes against money can affect a person’s life, something that can also be applied to the professional career. And he does it by presenting two different father figures: the poor dad who represents the traditional thinking of saving and effort, and the rich dad who represents the mentality of investing and creating assets.
What can we apply from this book in our professional career?
The author stresses the importance of taking control of personal finances through informed decisions about how to invest and grow money, which requires time, financial education, and an entrepreneurial mindset. The continuing education and self-directed learning They are the first steps to learn new skills and adapt to changes in the sector, something essential to enrich your CV and ensure success at any stage of your professional career.
“The most interesting thing about this book is Kiyosaki’s approach to the entrepreneurial mindset. Having a self-improvement approach and solid financial knowledge can give you a better understanding of your company’s business, which will allow you to be more strategic and make more informed and accurate decisions. A professional profile focused on the business will always stand out when it comes to forming high-performance teams or proposing an internal promotion”says Clara Capellades, Principal at Walters People.
