The Power of Introverts
Based on the book: Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking, By Susan Caine
The author of Quiet The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking, Susan Cain, has written stories based on actual events of unknown people and famous successful people such as Chopin, Einstein, Bill Gates, and Barack Obama. In her book, Susan assures us that introverts do have their role in the world and are essential to society, and how these people can become CEOs in their professions and successful leaders. The book states that there is a way to achieve success; as proven by research, it is the “power of silence” that has been used skillfully by some introverts.
The Power of Silence involves the process of asking questions, understanding your opponent, and calmly pursuing his trajectory. Gandhi is probably the best example of the use of this power. Gandhi believed that passivity was one of his most outstanding qualities that were born out of his shyness. The book is a “find” for introverted people to teach these people to believe in their potential and improve their self-esteem.
Susan Cain calls the ideal of extroversion, charismatic people, easy to relate to other people, immune to fear, this is an image that a successful person. The problem, according to Cain, is that not all people fit this model, despite social pressure. Introverts were left out and began to suffer more from stress. According to Susan, biology does not determine that we are what we do, but it exerts considerable influence. Making a brief analysis, the individual always makes a conscious decision to follow the primitive instincts and avoid danger or adapt to overcome the discomfort and challenges.
The book assures you that you can organize your life into “optimal stimulus levels” or “sweet spots.” The author is talking about how you find the right balance for your personality type.
I chose this book because I identify myself with this topic. As I am an introverted and quiet person, I am very careful, thoughtful, and organized, even before I speak or do something I plan. I’m very demanding with myself. I feel that this ends up taking me away from being spontaneous and extroverted. Sometimes, I stop, and I think I could have acted differently to be a little more intuitive and extroverted.
After reading the book, I could understand my attitudes and understand what the author means about people who are also introverts. In the book, the author discusses how to work with introversion. She shows through her reports that there is nothing wrong with me and not with the people mentioned in the books. Susan says that people like Barack Obama, Albert Einstein, Chopin, Steven Spielberg, Bill Gates, JKand Rowling are successful people and introverts.
In my life, I was always seen as shy and introverted. I was always very sad and uncomfortable with the situation. Unfortunately or fortunately, the world we live in makes it clear that introverts are incapable of asserting themselves. Suzan clearly said in the book is not always true. Shyness doesn’t mean the person is introverted because they are not linked, and it’s normal. This book made me wake up and realize that I, an introverted and shy person, have potential. I have my value and my space in the world.
Susan is constantly showing in the book that incorporating the extrovert version is never the way to be successful and achieve success. In fact, she claims that there is no superiority between an introvert and an extrovert, which shows that both can interact in different environments.
During the reading, it became clear to me that there is no better leadership than the other, but they should be put into practice according to the type of situation in which the characteristics of leaders are presented. For example, introverted leaders tend to listen but encourage their followers’ proactiveness. While extroverted leaders often overshadow their followers’ ability, they manage to inspire them naturally and achieve the desired results.
The author states in the book what happens neurologically in a quiet person and an extrovert with scientific research. I noticed throughout the reading that the author shows the frank points and strengths of a quiet person and another outgoing person. Susan shows how to value the two personalities and that they both need each other as they establish a balance when working together. In the surveys applied worldwide, they discovered that both have to work together.
I enjoyed reading this book, and I highly recommend it for those looking for personal self-knowledge. Moreover, it’s highly recommended that those people who need to learn how to expose themselves and behave in the world they live in to become outstanding. Surprisingly, my conclusion from the book was like looking in a mirror and seeing myself through others’ histories. My resume helps me understand that we as human beings need to accept ourselves as we are and live our lives day after day, doing our best.
References
Cain, S. (2012). Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Doesn’t Stop Talking, New York. Crown Publishers.
