Quiet by Susan Cain

Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain. I heard about this book when it was released a couple of years back. I should have read it sooner. So many points from this book resonated with me. I took down a lot of notes.

I am familiar with the idea (and from experience) that introverts thrive in solitude, quiet and low-key environments while extroverts are energized by being around many people or lively situations. What was new to me is the concept of introverts being highly sensitive. Not in the emotional sense but in terms of being easily overwhelmed by stimuli. I can relate. I feel unsettled if there are too many things going on. I easily get roused by noise and consider absolute silence a luxury.

Being an introvert is a challenge because of the Extrovert Ideal. Many of our institutions are designed for extroverts. For example, modern offices have open plans, we are forced to work in teams (not inherently bad) and are expected to be lively to show engagement. Also, 'many schools are designed for extroverts and too often, very little is made available to the introvert learner except constant advice on becoming more sociable and gregarious.'  This is a disservice to at least 1/3 of the population.

More notes from the book:
  • Introverted leaders are more effective with proactive employees; extroverted leaders are better with passive employees
  • Alertness, sensitivity to nuance and complex emotionality turn out to be underrated introvert powers.
  • Introverts are better at delaying gratification. Extroverts are more reward sensitive.
  • Introverts think before they act, digest information thoroughly, stay on task longer, give up less easily and work more accurately.
  • Introverts enjoy relative freedom from the temptation of superficial prizes like money and status.
  • BUT introverts are also capable of acting out of character for the sake of work they consider important, people they love or anything they value highly, i.e. act out of character some of the time in exchange for being ourselves the rest of the time. (Free Trait Theory)
This could really be the handbook for introverts and extroverts who want to understand introverts. Here's Susan Cain's TED talk for a very condensed version of the book. Worth a look. =) She also runs a blog called Quiet Revolution.

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