Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking

Author:  Susan Cain

Year: 2012

Publisher:  Crown

Pages:  333

Goodreads Summary:

At least one-third of the people we know are introverts. They are the ones who prefer listening to speaking, reading to partying; who innovate and create but dislike self-promotion; who favor working on their own over brainstorming in teams. Although they are often labeled "quiet," it is to introverts that we owe many of the great contributions to society--from van Gogh’s sunflowers to the invention of the personal computer.

Passionately argued, impressively researched, and filled with indelible stories of real people, Quiet shows how dramatically we undervalue introverts, and how much we lose in doing so. Taking the reader on a journey from Dale Carnegie’s birthplace to Harvard Business School, from a Tony Robbins seminar to an evangelical megachurch, Susan Cain charts the rise of the Extrovert Ideal in the twentieth century and explores its far-reaching effects. She talks to Asian-American students who feel alienated from the brash, backslapping atmosphere of American schools. She questions the dominant values of American business culture, where forced collaboration can stand in the way of innovation, and where the leadership potential of introverts is often overlooked. And she draws on cutting-edge research in psychology and neuroscience to reveal the surprising differences between extroverts and introverts.

Perhaps most inspiring, she introduces us to successful introverts--from a witty, high-octane public speaker who recharges in solitude after his talks, to a record-breaking salesman who quietly taps into the power of questions. Finally, she offers invaluable advice on everything from how to better negotiate differences in introvert-extrovert relationships to how to empower an introverted child to when it makes sense to be a "pretend extrovert."

This extraordinary book has the power to permanently change how we see introverts and, equally important, how introverts see themselves.

I have a confession to make. I'm an introvert. Most of the time I'm much happier staying at home and reading than going out - especially if that going out is in a group. What's that you say? You're not surprised? Yeah, neither are most of my friends. I'd heard a bit about this book from some podcasts and then heard an interview with the author and found her intriguing. So when I got the opportunity, I picked this book up and started to read it. I felt like Susan Cain could see inside my head, heart and soul. She recognized who I was and understood me. This book doesn't offer solutions to cure a person from being an introvert. Instead, it helps understand both introverts and extroverts and learning to recognize the strengths in being an introvert both at work and at home. If you or somebody you love is an introvert, I recommend reading this book.