Quiet: The power of introverts in a world that can’t stop talking

For any educator, I would highly recommend picking up Susan Cain’s book, Quiet: The power of introverts in a world that can’t stop talking. This book was one of the Student Affairs book club readings last year.  It really resonated with me, first, for being married to an introvert, and second having just come back from my trip to Europe.  America seems to be the land of the extroverts, people who don’t stop performing, talking, and engaging without paying attention to the needs and ways in which others live their lives. 

Cain shares her own story as an introvert and how she began making meaning of herself in relation to others.  She also highlights many of the introverted people who have impacted our society, people from Rosa Parks and her decision not to move from the seat on the bus, to Dale Carnegie who was one of the most successful salesmen in the early 1900s (who started his own public speaking course to other introverts), to Eleanor Roosevelt (who helped her husband FDR as President of the USA from behind the scenes), to Warren Buffet (the investment guru) and Steve Wozniak (the creator of the first Apple computer).  All of these people gained their energy internally and needed time to re-energize before getting in large groups again. 

Cain shares information from child psychologists who work with children to better understand what their needs are in relation to being in groups with others and whether it is nature or nurture that makes them the way they are.  Cain explores best ways for introverts to prepare for public speaking, a little at a time!  Other topics include:  How did one Wall Street investor not lose their investments during the crash of 2008 (using the introversion they had within themselves); how to respond to ‘wins’ as a “reward-orientated” person; Asian-Americans and how their upbringing has made them more introverted than most other American born people; how to become more extroverted than you really are (aka Professor Brian Little of Harvard, who was one of the most popular faculty); and the wife who didn’t like her husband’s desire for a dinner party a week. 

Cain provides excellent data to create more success for introverts, but in many ways this book is best read for the extroverts, who seemingly don’t understand the “why/how/what” of introversion.  Additionally, her information shared on how to assist young children who don’t understand how they get their energies and why they seemingly can’t get in the conversation is exceedingly helpful for high school teachers, parents, and athletic team coaches who all have some level of responsibility for children in a group setting.  I love to be pushed to think outside of my own style, and this book really does that for me.  All managers and leaders would greatly benefit from this book.  I highly encourage it.  We will need the extroversion compendium in the near future!  Pick this one up!