A Quiet Book Review: Susan Cain’s Extraordinary Look into the Importance of Introverts

Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking is a new book by Susan Cain which delves deeply into the world of introverts. After reading many very positive reviews of the book I, being an introvert myself, had high expectations for this book. Without a doubt Quiet met my high expectations and much more. This is a must have book for anyone who is an introvert or needs to interact with introverts including; spouses, children or co-workers. This wonderful book provided many insights into my own behaviors but also provided me with a practicable guide to working with project teams. Additionally, my wife, a special education teacher, finds the material very appropriate for teachers with introverted students in their class – which in reality would be any teacher.

The book is divided into four parts:

Part 1: The Extrovert Ideal – Covers the rise and myths of extrovert leadership in our society

Part 2: Your Biology, Your Self? – Reviews the biological difference between introverts and extroverts and the resulting impacts

Part 3: Do all Cultures Have an Extrovert Idea? – Explores the differences in views of the extrovert ideal in American and Asia

Part 4: How to Love, How to Work – Provides life lessons for dealing with introverts

What follows are just some of the highlights from each section.

Part 1: The Extrovert Ideal
One of the most interesting aspects of this section is how extroverts came to be seen more prominently in the American society. Cain expertly traces the rise of extroverts in America and offers insights into why other countries view extroverts less prominently.

We are then allowed to follow the author as she visits the extrovert havens of a high energy Anthony Robbins seminar and Harvard Business School. Not surprisingly we don’t tend to find many introverts at either gathering. Along the way Cain lets us in on some research that does surprise us – group brainstorming sessions are less productive, in terms of idea quality and quantity, than individual brain storming. These findings have significant implications for business and project managers.

Cain also shows the impacts of the new open office layouts which are becoming more popular in business settings. The impacts are not the anticipated positive ones to increase collaboration but are found to instead increase anxiety and employee turnover. Oops!

Part 2: Your Biology, Your Self?

Part 2 is where we jump into the biology of introverts and extroverts and resulting ramifications of not listening to introverts. This section begins with a clarification of the difference between temperament and personality. Cain reveals how research has shown that our introvert/extrovert temperaments as teenagers and adults can be predicted when we are only four months old.

Of more consequence we begin to understand the situations where introverts can be both better leaders and negotiators than their extroverted counterparts. Cain also explores the Winner’s Concept which plagues many extroverts and had a hand in the financial recession of 2008. This section makes me want to make sure an introvert is managing my financial investments!

Most importantly for introverts we learn how to better deal with the made for extrovert situations we dread so much; such as when we need to make small talk with groups and give presentations. Quiet contains wonderful tools to help introverts survive these challenging situations.

Part 3: Do all Cultures Have an Extrovert Idea?

In this section Cain provides a brief but informative comparison between the American and Asian cultures. This section and chapter is a helpful guide for creating better relationships with Asian co-workers.

Part 4: How to Love, How to Work
Cain saves the best for last! In the final section, we learn how can better live, love and work as, and with, introverts and importantly for teachers and parents, how to best facilitate young introverts in their learning and development.

For me this section explained why I have a hard time following my wife’s conversation at dinner and why I should never refer to my daughter, or anyone for that matter, as being ‘shy’. In addition we learn how to assist our introvert children with noisy settings such as play dates.

The insights into questions that parents should and should not ask of their kids after school, such as never ask the general question ‘How was your day?’, can also be applied to my work as a project manager when interacting with team members.

Conclusion

Simply put, Quiet is a very well researched and written book about the life of introverts. It is a must read for anyone who is or associated with introverts. I expect in some cases this book could be a life changer for many introverts.

Many kudos and thanks to Susan Cain for writing such a helpful and thought provoking book. Keep up the excellent work and championing for us introverts!