'Quiet' by Susan Cain - Book Impressions

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

Susan Cain, Pub: Penguin, Pub Date: 2013, Format: Book, Read: Jul 2022

About Susan:

Susan is an American writer and lecturer. Formerly a corporate lawyer and consultant. She is a self-confessed introvert. She founded Quiet Revolution, a company with a mission to support introverts, both adults and children, in education, the workplace, and general life.

My Impressions:

I finally took this book down from my bookshelf - so glad I did!! I originally purchased it as I believed I was an introvert and that it would resonate with me (I am, and it did).

It is written in praise of the introvert - but is equally of value to the extrovert to recognise his/her polar opposite temperament, and also to support the introverts in his/her life.

The ideas that I formed from my reading are listed below. They form the headings in my Zettelkelkasten system, where I expand on them and link them to other zettels:

• Introversion and extroversion can be measured on an ‘introvert-extrovert’ spectrum
• Introverts are not necessarily ‘highly sensitive’
• Shyness is not the same as introversion
• Introverts may have the best ideas but they are often not heard
• Introverts make good leaders in proactive teams and not so good in passive teams
• Introverts prefer to work alone and do their own thinking and creating
• Introvert's traits ideally place them to make good negotiators
• In the 20^th century there was a shift from a Culture of Character to a Culture of Personality to epitomise the Extrovert Ideal
• Brainstorming in large groups kills creativity
• Open plan offices are detrimental to concentration, relationships at work, overall health and wellbeing
• Multitasking is a myth
• If you want to improve your learning then go for a quiet walk in nature rather than a walk through a busy city street
• Temperament and personality are different
• The Orchid Hypothesis suggested that some highly reactive children will wilt unless they are supported to thrieve
• The footprint of high or low reactive temperament does not change with adulthood
• Self-talk reduces the activity of the amygdala in direct proportion, resulting in a calming effect
• There is a sweet spot between overactivity and underactivity
• The fear of public speaking and other extrovert activities can be reduced by careful preparation before the event and a passion for the subject
• The brain of an introvert is less responsive to dopamine than that of an extrovert
• Flow states occur when a task is pursued for the intrinsic rewards it brings rather than the extrinsic
• Soft power is the nonaggressive, skillful, determined way of winning others over
• Venting does not soothe anger – studies have shown that it fuels it
• Deal with a forceful angry person by trying to get to the source of what they are trying to say
• Leaders should build their companies and not their egos
• Work on your own if you want to develop revolutionary products or reach a goal – not with a committee or on a team
• Enjoyment is that individual’s balance point between boredom and challenge – you could describe it as the sweet spot

This book has given me permission to be an introvert in an extroverted world - I will 'do me' and be as my temperament guides me to be.

My Favourite Quote:

"If there is only one insight you take away from this book, though, I hope it's a newfound sense of entitlement to be yourself." (p.15)