Book Recommendation
Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking. Susan Cain, 2012
How I found it
This book was on my ‘to read’ list for years before it made its way to my bookshelf, where it sat quietly for many months. I knew I needed to read it but I wasn’t ready. By the time I finally picked it up, it made more sense. I was ready to start embracing my own concept of quiet and witnessing how most of the clients in my counselling practice were introverts.
What it’s about
Quiet is a comprehensive, compelling look at the between 1/3 and 1/2 of the population who are introverted. This is not a book about shyness. Instead, it champions the idea that introversion is about how you respond to stimulation.
Susan Cain‘s research is thorough and wide-ranging. She traces how extroversion became so culturally dominant, examines the biology behind a quiet temperament, and explores ways in which introverts and extroverts can understand each other better.
The book is full of examples of introverts who made history and created change and makes a powerful case for what the world loses quieter voices go unheard. It is particularly strong in terms of arguing how communicating, leading and setting up workplaces in a way that is more balanced toward introversion can create positive differences for everyone.
Why I’m recommending it
I’ve found that most of the clients I see in my counselling practice are introverts. Whilst the issues I support them with are unique to their own experiences, a common thread is the battle they have between being themselves and operating in a world that is biased towards extroversion. I believe that if more people read this book and introversion was better understood and celebrated, it would make life like less challenging for a lot of people.
I’m firmly behind Susan’s mission to raise the profile of introversion, especially because the world has changed since her book was published. Social media has exploded. COVID-19 changed the landscape and accelerated working from home. Our use of technology is increasingly isolating us from each other. It is as if introversion and extraversion have become more polarised and we need more understanding of this.
Who should read it
If you ever think of cancelling social commitments, enjoy spending time by yourself or have found yourself feeling like you haven’t fulfilled your potential, read this book. You just may find that you’ve been masquerading as an extrovert, when your destiny was always something quieter.
If you’re a card-carrying extrovert who struggles sometimes in your interaction with quieter people, this could genuinely help. And if you’re in business, leadership or teaching, it offers a valuable lens on a significant proportion of your staff, colleagues and pupils.
A note
Susan Cain is American, so most of the examples and references are US-focused. And this isn’t a self-help book in the traditional sense so if you’re looking for a list of tips on how to be an introvert, it may not be what you need. It’s better suited to someone who wants to understand what introversion actually is, why extroversion is so dominant, and what becomes possible when you stop fighting your own nature.
If reading feels like too much right now, Susan’s TED talk is a lovely place to start: susancain.net/ted-talk
