Manpreet Randhawa, MPharm., Dip Clin Pharm., Ipresc., is Head of Pharmacy based at Whipps Cross University Hospital.
Manpreet is also Co-chair of the Trust-wide Women’s Network and a Mental Health First Aider. At the heart of the Women's Network is helping to connect each other and make Barts Health feel like a smaller place. For more information about the Women's Network click here and follow them on Twitter here.
Principles – Ray Dalio
Ray Dalio, one of the world’s most successful investors and entrepreneurs, shares the unconventional principles that he’s developed, refined, and used over the past forty years to create unique results in both life and business—and which any person or organization can adopt to help achieve their goals.
Manpreet says: "Throughout my life I have encountered challenges and have always reflected on if I made the right call. Ray talks about creating your own principles, looking at the cause-effect relationship to determine patterns in your decision making and whether you need to evolve to develop better outcomes. The book highlights that every individual is wired differently, so if you want to understand what is true, you first need to understand your brain. “A great deal of power comes in knowing first, how you are wired, and second, how others are wired”. The book asks to check in with yourself with reflections like, “is your ego and blind spots getting in the way of reality? The purpose of this book is to help you get what you want out of life and is very much based on being accountable for all the outcomes, good or bad. The hardest part of the process of going through this book is getting to the root causes of problems, which is difficult when you are in the thick of your thoughts and perception, this coming from someone who reflects and overanalyses every situation. The book is in 3 parts and I have been concentrating on the life principles, I am really enjoying the process although difficult at times to work through. A recommended reading for anyone who wants to develop their thinking patterns and align their life with their own map of principles".
Nonviolent communication – Marshall B Rosenberg
Do you hunger for skills to improve the quality of your relationships, to deepen your sense of personal empowerment or to simply communicate more effectively? Unfortunately, for centuries our culture has taught us to think and speak in ways that can actually perpetuate conflict, internal pain and even violence. Nonviolent Communication partners practical skills with a powerful consciousness and vocabulary to help you get what you want peacefully.
Manpreet says: "I have always been a straight-talking person and can be strong with my delivery of information which is not always received well. Nonviolent communication was recommended by another co-chair of the Women’s Network and I hugely appreciated it. This book is brilliant in structuring conversations, particularly difficult ones, allowing you to provide feedback in a non-judgemental and constructive way. This compassionate and collaborate way of communicating has worked well in many situations from family life and work situations. The book helps differentiate between observations, one's thoughts and judgments and guides us to respond to observations rather than our own inner voice. A great read to aid effective communication".
I had a black dog : his name was depression - Matthew Johnstone
There are many different breeds of Black Dog affecting millions of people from all walks of life. The
Black Dog is an equal opportunity mongrel. It was Winston Churchill who popularized the phrase Black Dog to describe the bouts of depression he experienced for much of his life. Matthew Johnstone, a sufferer himself, has written and illustrated this moving and uplifting insight into what it is like to have a Black Dog as a companion and how he learned to tame it and bring it to heel.
Manpreet says: "One of my interests is understanding mental health better and this book helps the reader visualise depression. I have a black dog by Matthew Johnson depicts a black cloud overhead when people suffer with depression. This book is an easy read with illustrations to show how the black dog grows with your depression. The fear and stigma of this depression stops people from sharing, however, the book suggests a problem shared is a problem halved. I have suggested this book to others as I found it profound and insightful. Since reading this book, I feel it had helped me understand depression better and feel like I can give support to others or at least signpost them".
To Kill a Mockingbird – Harper Lee
A lawyer's advice to his children as he defends the real mockingbird of Harper Lee's classic novel - a black man falsely charged with the rape of a white girl. Through the young eyes of Scout and Jem Finch, Harper Lee explores with exuberant humour the irrationality of adult attitudes to race and class in the Deep South of the 1930s. The conscience of a town steeped in prejudice, violence and hypocrisy is pricked by the stamina of one man's struggle for justice. But the weight of history will only tolerate so much.
Manpreet says: "I first read this when I was in my teens, it was so eloquently written that it left a lasting memory. The characteristics are well developed and the narrative so descriptive that you can picture every part in your mind so clearly. There are some fun, playful parts with the children’s adventures but equally the book makes you cry. There are strong themes of racism and discrimination and when you experience this growing up, it hits a little harder. At the time I didn’t understand all of To Kill a Mockingbird but reading it a decade later I appreciated more about the book as I understood more about the world. The messages of morals by one of the lead character, Atticus Finch, still ring true today and genuinely when I read it back in my twenties, I thought in 20 years’ time the world would be different place".
Untold: Defining Moments of the Uprooted – collection of stories by different authors
A collection of real stories that explores the South Asian experience in the U.S., U.K., and Canada through the lens of identity, being, and relationships. Thirty-two emerging voices share deeply personal moments relating to immigration, infertility, divorce, mental health, suicide, sexual orientation, gender identity, racism, colorism, casteism, religion, and much more, all while balancing the push and pull of belonging to two cultural hemispheres. Every story sheds light on the authentic truths of living as womxn with hyphenated identities that have only been whispered -- until now.
Manpreet says: "This book has over 30 beautiful, evocative and emotional stories exploring the South Asian experience in the west. The book delves into identity, relationships, guilt and sexuality, topics that traditionally are not discussed openly in South Asian culture. The stories showed the diversity of situations, some of which I connected with and recognised in my life which made the book very relatable. I feel that just telling these stories is very powerful and lets South Asian women know they are not alone. I think it wonderful that these stories have been compiled, not only to highlight the complexities of our culture but to celebrate how strong South Asian women can be".
Luxury Item
"My luxury item is my bed, you can't beat the feeling of having a lovely bath then getting into bed with fresh sheets".
Record
"My record is "Devdas" (Hindi movie soundtrack) with beautiful music or anything by A.R. Rahman who is a wonderful Indian composer and songwriter. I also love "God is a Women" by Ariana Grande and "Team" by Iggy Azalea!"