Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking by Susan Cain. Susan’s efforts in revealing insights addressing introverts are remarkable. In the age of COVID, Quiet offers all readers a refreshing though process to strengthen ourselves and all of our relationships by better understanding introverts. At the same time, it may be indeed revealing that readers are rediscovering their own quiet demeanor while working at home.
Susan’s stories of Rosa Parks, Dr. Seuss, Steve Wozniak, and Eleanor Roosevelt are certainly well researched and serve as insightful lessons to their daily behaviors.
As a result, one of the strong and revealing topics across the opening three chapters address how leadership is impacted by extroverts. However, this is sometimes not for the better.
Traditionally extroverts certainly carry a group’s ideas. Susan is proving this to be a wrong approach.
Any unchallenging loud voice in the room seemingly is ‘defining’ a project or sales ‘success’ for the gorup, can certainly be where the train goes off the tracks. When this is a CEO or senior Vice President there can be uphill challenges to organizational success. An introvert attending a Tony Robbins event was interesting to say the least as Susan attests.
Are introverts determined by body temperament?
Chapter 4: Is Temperament Destiny includes insights to begin understanding biological origins that impact public speaking. This is certainly a chapter worth re-reading. While not a how-to-guide, this reveals insights for leaders engaging introverts. On the other hand, you know who your introverts are on your team don’t you? Likewise, this takes a new approach to organizational DISC assessments as well. Nevertheless, are you utilizing your talent wisely?
Soft Power
Quiet further reveals within Chapter 8: Do Asian-Americas have an extrovert ideal? the introvert culture of Asian-Americas, specifically addressed in California. Susan is delvering rich insights here. Clearly this is global. Due to inexcusable violence related to COVID misinformation, this chapter is very relevant to Asian culture and their own reactions to violence. Regrettably it is not the first time. Furthermore, learning taijin kyofusho in Japanese culture indeed provides deep insights and is very much needed today.
It would be very revealing to analyze how COVID is impacting our video conferences. Above all, due to the lack of a salesman’s personality, working remote may actually better focus group collaborations. For this reason, I feel The Elephant in the Brain and Range are also worthy reads.
In conclusion, Quiet is a wonderful and engaging read. Besides, my feedback is really just the tip of the iceberg. Susan’s book proves well worth your time reading, analyzing, and acting upon your engagements.
TED | The power of introverts
Talks at Google | Quiet
Pronunciation Pro | Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can’t Stop Talking
Crown Publishing Group | Quiet: The Power of Introverts
Microsoft Research | Quiet: The Power of Introverts
RSA | The Power of Introverts