The January book for From Left to Write is Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking by Susan Cain. Quiet seems to be creating quite the fuss in the media, and for good reason: Cain is challenging the notions that A, introverts are few and far between and B, creativity typically occurs in group settings. Her article in last week’s New York Times, The Rise of the New Groupthink, is both illuminating and intriguing.
While I don’t identify myself with every introverted characteristic Cain highlights, I have almost always considered myself an introvert. I say almost always because when I was a little girl, shy and quiet as can be, it wasn’t cool to be introverted. I would answer personality tests dishonestly in the hopes of a hipper, more popular extrovert result. Personality tests being the bizarre abstract things that they are, my results never quite mirrored my true self nor the personality I was hoping to achieve.
Over time, I came to accept me for who I am. In high school, I learned to come out of my shell and wave my freak flag for all to see. It turned out people genuinely liked me for who I was, and here I’d spent the first decade of my life terrified of not fitting in.
Now, I don’t really care what people think. I am who I am, I do what I want to do, and I’m immeasurably happier because of it. Being a thoughtful, quiet introvert who prefers silence to background music and nights in to nights out doesn’t make me shy or timid or lame. I’m just as confident and savvy as the next person, even if my ideal night involves wine and cheese and conversation shared with a few friends rather than loud music and a crowd full of strangers at a bar.
Quiet points out how common it is to be an introvert, even if you or your friend/neighbor/coworker/lover do everything in your power to hide it. Being an introvert isn’t always popular, especially in our culture that embraces big personalities and buckets of charisma. We introverts aren’t nearly as rare as the perpetuated myths might lead you to believe.
For introverts and extroverts alike, Quiet offers interesting, thought-provoking insights into the personality traits that cause people to act (and react) the way they do. It also offers new thoughts and approaches to fostering creativity and success. An intriguing read “just because,” I also recommend this book to those that manage others, be it at work or at home. An extrovert raising (or managing) an introvert (or vice versa) might find this book helpful and illuminating. As for introverts like myself, it’s wonderfully gratifying.
*In the interest of full disclosure, please note that I received a complimentary copy of Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking courtesy of From Left to Write. Book club members are not required to write about books received; the above thoughts are freely given.
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