Quiet The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain

Book Description:  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.

My Review:  Quiet  The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking by Susan Cain was such an eye opening read for me. 

I am an introvert...no it's not a bad word!  It simply means I like quiet and time to process my thoughts.  And yes!  I can talk too.

While reading Quiet I learned so much that I had misunderstood.  Not just about myself but about others, too.  For example, on page 226, "Is something wrong with me?....Probably the most common - and damaging - misunderstanding about personality type is that introverts are antisocial and extroverts are pre-social.  But as we've seen, neither formulations is correct; introverts and extroverts are differently social."  This statement gave me SUCH freedom.  

We, as people, are all created differently and uniquely.  One of my uncles is energized by people.  He loves to talk and talk to people he doesn't know.  He loves to be surrounded by people and is energized by their thoughts and talking.  On the other hand, my dad, his brother, loves to work in the garage building wonderful pieces of furniture or toys.  I love them both and they both have a special place in this world even though one is an extrovert and one is an introvert.

Reading this book was like drinking a tall refreshing glass cold lemonade.  Just the right amount of "sour" with the tingling, refreshing feel of "sweet."  

I loved the conclusion of this read...the "blueprint."  Ms. Cain tells us to put ourselves in the right lighting.  Some of us need Broadway lights and some need a lamplit desk.  

I was impressed with the insights of this read.  A great read for all...no matter if you're an introvert or an extrovert!

*This book was provided by Waterbrook/Multnomah for review*

Meet the Author: 

Hi, I'm Susan Cain, author of the forthcoming book, "QUIET: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking" (Crown Publishers in the U.S., Viking/Penguin in the U.K., Jan. 2012).

Before I became a writer, I practiced corporate law for seven years, representing clients like Goldman Sachs and General Electric. Then I started a negotiation consultancy, training all kinds of people, from hedge fund managers to TV producers to college students negotiating their first salaries. My clients have included Merrill Lynch, Shearman & Sterling, One Hundred Women in Hedge Funds, and many more. I went to Princeton University and Harvard Law School.

From this you might guess that I'm a hardcore, wonderfully self-confident, pound-the-table kind of person, when in fact I'm just the opposite. I prefer listening to talking, reading to socializing, and cozy chats to group settings. I like to think before I speak (softly). I've never given a speech without being terrified first. And somehow I know that everything I've ever accomplished, in love and in work, I owe to these traits, annoying though they may sometimes be. I've explored this paradox in my book.

I live on the banks of the Hudson River in an 1822 captain's cottage with my beloved husband and sons. My favorite activities are reading, writing, lounging around cafés, and doing the mambo with my family. I use a lot of old-fashioned expressions. A few times a year, I try to like cooking. I'm insatiably curious about human nature. I'm a proud member of the Invisible Institute, a small authors group whose members include Pulitzer Prize winners, New York Times bestselling authors, and some of the most inspiring human beings in New York City.

• Hardcover: 352 pages
• Publisher: Crown (January 24, 2012)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0307352145
• ISBN-13: 978-0307352149
• Product Dimensions: 6.4 x 1.1 x 9.6 inches