Day 85 Quiet: The power of introverts in a world that can't stop talking.

 The world frequently associate success with people who have charismatic, sociable, gregarious and sometimes loquacious personalities. Companies seem to be on a relentless pursuit to hire extroverts to positions of leadership. The universities and colleges promote extroversion as a highly sought quality that every person should thrive to achieve.

In brief, the society extolls extroversion.  At least this has been the story for many years but are things about to change? The American 'ideal' just may be on the verge of a paradigm shift. And when Americans change the way they think, we all know that the world follow suit sooner or later.


Following a comment made by Rads on my blog post dated 22nd February I felt like understanding a bit about what it is like to have an introverted personality. What I found online was a rather interesting book review published on 'the guardian' website. Susan Cain seem to have catapulted a silent revolution. Her book- "Quiet: The Power of introverts in a world that can't stop talking" has been well received and seem like an intriguing read. 

 Susan Cain seem to be challenging many rooted beliefs and dispelling myths. Introverts are stereotyped as socially awkward people who hate mingling and networking. To an average observer an introvert may even appear as an unhappy person. There is a common belief that introverts are shy and afraid of company and that they are antisocial. However well known personalities such as Bill Gates, Abraham Lincoln and Ghandi are classifieds as introverts.

According to Susan Cain introverts:

- Think in an unusually complex fashion
-Especially  empathic
-Desire peace
-Modest
-Creative
-Gets drained of energy through heavy social interactions and gain energy in solitude and quiet.

Also, very interestingly, according to the author Sophia Dembling who also has written books on introversion, introverts do not fail in public speaking or leadership contexts. In fact they have an upper hand over extroverts because they prepare thoroughly and think things through prior to doing and hence emerge as excellent public speakers.  They lead with quiet confidence.

So if you are an introvert and lived all your life trying to change, or if people have probed you to become more loud and confident, hold your horses!!  Times are changing and tables are turning and you just maybe the next American Ideal of awesomeness!