Quiet

“…introverts are antisocial and extroverts are pro-social…neither formulation is correct; introverts and extroverts are differently social.” That quote best sums up the major thread in this book. Time has resulted, socially, in very wrong ideas about what it means to be an extrovert or introvert. Example, most people who know me would not peg me as an introvert. Over the years I have learned to become more comfortable with it and try to redefine what introvert means to others. That is where “Quiet” comes in. I first heard about it on the Ted Radio Hour and have been fascinated by Susan Cain’s analysis ever since. This book showed me how introverts sometimes conduct themselves as extroverts because we’re taught from an early age that extroverts win. Cain dives deep into this phenomenon, along with the myth of the extrovert leader and what introverts bring to the table. Cain also explores the cultural and historical roots that led to the extrovert ideal in some cultures and the preference for quiet power in other cultures. What Cain sets out to do more than anything is dispel all of these misconceptions about what it means to be an introvert or an extrovert. Particularly, the antisocial myth about extroverts. Moreover through multiple examples she shows that there is value in having introverts included in conversations and leadership roles that they would normally be left out of. Cain also excels in giving real practical tools and examples of how to thrive as an introvert in a world where extroverts are celebrated. In summary, this book is hard to put down and the writing is fluid and concise. Cain’s style distills down and makes actionable key learnings from every chapter. Particularly, in how introversion and extroversion are not neat little boxes one fits into. They are more like a Venn diagram. You are one or the other but may still share some qualities from the other camp. Another key concept, is learning your appropriate stimulation level and setting up your work, life, hobbies to keep you in the “sweet spot.” The ability to be as social as you need to be depending on the setting.

I love Susan Cain’s writing style. I do think the Go Get ‘Em business passages are dated in the post covid world. However, I did love the history of how developing a winning personality occurred.

This book would’ve made my high school life so much easier. Seeing how and why I am the way that I am. This book can also provide explanations for the behaviors of extroverts. All pretty interesting.

A must for everyone who interacts with anyone on this earth. I felt seen reading this book!

Before reading this book I knew that I was an introverted person but this book validated so much for me. It was encouraging to read something very relatable and even give alternative ideas to handle situations that can be overly stimulating socially. I will definitely continue to use this book to help remind me that its ok.

I enjoy reading this book because it taught me something about myself and about those that I care deeply for. They short stories infused throughout are a great help to reading this book.

I bought this book to better equip me to fully appreciate and most effectively deploy some amazingly talented introverts who work for me in my small business. I now legitimately look at them as though I’ve just discovered that they have superpowers. I also greatly appreciate the many parts of the book that make a compelling case that extroverts need to—at least under some circumstances—learn to borrow a page or two from the introverts’ playbook.

This book really brought back so many memories from my childhood. Adult me now has a better perspective on child me. I realize now that I’ve been a pseudo extrovert for much of my life and am only my real self when alone or with a few close friends. Of course, I’ve always had this sense, but now the feelings are more fleshed out. I found myself in so much of this book and will have to reread it and probably take some notes for retention.

This book spoke to me. I saw myself in everything the author described and every example she gave as the personality of an introvert. So happy to finally see that what has been described by family, friends and bosses and co-workers as strange and weird is actually my normal and that makes me just fine and special. YaY Introverts!!

My therapist suggested I read this book to help me. Read 100 pages and still had no clue why anyone think this book was interesting.. it’s basically telling us boring facts about famous people.. who cares, I want to know how the everyday person copes with their issues!