The book QUIET: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain discusses how being an introvert has advantages and how the extrovert ideal is exaggerated. Learn how forced collabo may limit innovation and how introverts' leadership potential is often overlooked. This book is argues and draws on cutting-edge psychology and neuroscience research. Leaders, educators, and parents must take Cain's findings seriously.
Susan Cain
Susan worked in corporate law for seven years, representing companies like JP Morgan and General Electric before becoming a writer for publications like the New York Times. She went on to work as a negotiation consultant, coaching everyone from hedge fund managers to TV producers to college students negotiating their first wages. Her clients included Merrill Lynch, Shearman & Sterling, One Hundred Women in Hedge Funds, and many more. She holds honours degrees from Princeton University and Harvard Law School.
She likes listening to talking, reading to mingling, personal chats to group interactions, and prefer to thinks before she speaks. She has never given a speech without being terrified, and this paradox is examined in this book.
Rosa Parks Was an Introvert
Rosa Parks might not have had such an impact on racial equality if she had not been an introvert. Susan begins with a tale about Martin Luther King, an extrovert, using Parks' example. According to statistics, introverts account for one-third to one-half of all Americans. There are no true introverts or extroverts. Unfortunately, we live in a value system she refers to as the Extrovert Ideal. As a result, parents apologise for shy children who believe there's something wrong with them. In addition to Parks, Cain mentions a number of other renowned introverts.
Basic Descriptions
Extroverts seek to finish jobs quickly. They make rapid (and frequently rash) decisions and are comfortable multitasking and taking risks. They like the thrill of competing for monetary and prestige awards.
Introverts often work slowly and carefully. They like to focus on one issue at a time and have exceptional concentration abilities. They are impressively immune to the seduction of money and fame. They prefer non-stimulating environments, and 70% are also sensitive. They may be bashful, which is a bad thing, but they are not introverted. Cain contains a 20-item true/false quiz to help you determine your position on this scale.
How Did It Happened?
As we progressed from an agricultural to industrial civilization, we needed more engaging salesmen, and the emphasis shifted from character qualities to personality. We hear about Dale Carnegie's success in teaching the extrovert attitude to influencing people. Movie stars highlighted personal attraction. Madison Avenue played on our insecurities as television got more popular by casting more extroverts as models. The inferiority complex was a novel concept, and scientists used the term "social anxiety disorder" to describe it. Introverted children were usually singled out as problem cases in schools that emphasised socialisation.
Why Introverted Leaders Could Be Better
Introverted leaders are more open and receptive to other people's perspectives. This could motivate them to work harder. Extroverts are more likely to want to influence the organization's direction. As a result, workers may become passive.
People feel that individuals who are more vocal are more intelligent. Many amazing ideas from introverts may be lost when strong individuals take the lead. Cain explains a Harvard Business School practise in which a group is considered a failure if any individual outperforms it. This might happen when a quiet person has the most information.
Introverts are prone to share about their personal life on social media. They like the ability to connect digitally and may now participate in courses without raising their hands and speak.
A Healthy Mix of Introverts and Extroverts
Many introverts are likely to be found in creative groups. Introversion directs the mind's attention on the work at hand. Work is completed in solo practise. Top performers in team sports spend an inordinate amount of time practising alone. Many workplaces do not have areas where you can work alone. Top firms are the most private. The most significant obstacle to productivity is interruption. Too many meetings are harmful.
Allowing individuals to produce their own ideas is more productive than traditional brainstorming. When you combine the independent labour of many people rather than allowing them to collaborate, you get more and better ideas. Performance diminishes as groups grow in size. This is due to the fact that some people do not participate, and only one person may talk at a time, and people are afraid of seeming ignorant. An audience might be stressful, and the social atmosphere can change your perspective. Online brainstorming, on the other hand, might function better when it is effectively managed.
How Genetics Play A Role In This
Cain mentions studies that show how genetics influence where you fall on the introvert-extrovert spectrum. According to some estimates, the figure is about 50%. Aside from that, the environment determines how much of each person's finest and worst characteristics come out. Introverts are more likely to feel frightened and depressed under stressful situations. In a stable environment, they will be empathetic, kind, cooperative, and responsible. They are also less prone to colds and other respiratory illnesses.
How Can We Change?
According to research, we have free will and may utilise it to modify our personality. Cain uses the rubber band metaphor to illustrate that we can be flexible, but only so far. If the thinking half of your brain (the cortex) makes an effort, the excitable section of your brain (the amygdala) can be regulated. If stress keeps the cortex active, the amygdala will enable your anxieties to resurface.
Cain refers to the amount of stimulation that enables for maximum performance as our "sweet spot." According to one study, extroverts prefer louder noises when executing a task and perform worse when the volume is reduced. For introverts, the reverse was true. Understanding this notion might help you control the amount of stimulus you receive and boost your overall enjoyment.
Extroverts May Seem Cool
She tells a fascinating story about Franklin Roosevelt (extrovert) and Eleanor Roosevelt (introvert), and how their differences made them a great match. It goes on to say that introverts are more likely to feel guilty, and that guilt is a component of conscience. Functional moderate guilt may encourage altruism, responsibility, and harmonious, competent, and prosocial behaviour. Introverts may have thinner skin because they sweat more. Extroverts may look cool just because they are cooler.
We Need Both
Extroverts outperform introverts in elementary school, while introverts outperform extroverts in high school and college. Introversion predicts academic achievement better than cognitive ability at the university level. Introverts consider before acting, completely assimilate information, remain on task longer, give up less quickly, and work more effectively. Even when a task requires stronger social abilities, introvert perseverance outperforms extrovert buzz. The finest company choices are shaped by both types of individuals.
Soft Power – The Asian Culture
Asians in the United States appear to be more likely to be introverts who respect their parent's desires to study hard and perform well in school. Introversion is valued in Asian societies, not ridiculed. We in the West subscribe to the Extrovert Ideal, but stillness is precious in Asia. As a result, Asians are less likely to reach the highest levels of American businesses. This cultural subject should be researched in both black and Hispanic cultures.
Can You Act More Extroverted or Introverted?
Cain looks into the subject and gives an example of someone who does so. Gifted teachers may be outstanding in front of a class but shy in other contexts. Some people feel that our position on the spectrum shifts depending on the situation. According to Free Trait Theory, we are born with some personality traits and are culturally gifted with others, but we behave out of character when necessary. Some people are more good at adjusting their behaviours than others. Cain provides you with a tool to evaluate your talents. You must also use caution while repressing your emotions and look for ways to restore your true self.
Members of the Opposite Type
Opposites are often drawn to one another. One prefers to speak while the other listens. Extroverts may have more friends, but it does not mean they are better friends. People that are nice, experience less conflict in their relationships, and there is no association between extroversion and agreeableness. At the end of the day, an introvert may seek solitude, whereas an extrovert seeks company. (People beginning a relationship should ideally take Cain's test so that they are aware of each other's personality type and basic needs from the start.
Cultivating Quiet Kids
Parents and teachers must identify and treat personality types. Cain provides a variety of important information and examples. Try not to modify a child. Gradually expose youngsters to different circumstances and people. Recognize and appreciate their limitations. Never describe a youngster as bashful.
Classrooms should prepare students for life, but they should also prepare them for school, which is typically designed for extroverts. Teachers must structure their teaching to suit both kinds. Parents and teachers should meet to discuss the needs of their kid. Both should read this book.
Love is Essential, Sociable is Optional
Spend your free time however you feel, even if that means staying home on New Year's Eve.
If your children are quiet, help them adjust to new settings and people, but otherwise, let them be. Expect them to ignore the group and instead pursue their own interests.
If you're a teacher, value your outgoing and participative students while encouraging the shy, sensitive, independent, and those with a single-minded passion.
If you are a manager, encourage your employees to solve problems alone before discussing their ideas, and provide them with quiet locations to work alone.