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13 Novel Ways To Understand 'The Power of Introverts In A World That Can't Stop Talking'

Susan Cain's <i>The Power of Introverts In A World That Can't Stop Talking</i> is a celebration of quiet personalities — specifically, the reserved and thoughtful introvert. Here are some of the best quotes from the book about this special perso
Mélanie Berliet
August 25, 2016
“Introverts are uniquely good at leading initiative-takers. Because of their inclination to listen to others and lack of interest in dominating social situations, introverts are more likely to hear and implement suggestions.”
— Susan Cain, Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking
Tagged: Introverts, Pyschology, Taking Feedback
“Introverts are capable of acting like extroverts for the sake of work they consider important, people they love, or anything they value highly.”
— Susan Cain, Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking
Tagged: Introverts, Psychology
“Introverts need to trust their gut and share their ideas as powerfully as they can. This does not mean aping extroverts; ideas can be shared quietly, they can be communicated in writing, they can be packaged into highly produced lectures, they can be advanced by allies. The trick for introverts is to honor their own styles instead of allowing themselves to be swept up by prevailing norms.”
— Susan Cain, Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking
Tagged: Introverts
“The New Groupthink elevates teamwork above all else. It insists that creativity and intellectual achievement come from a gregarious place.”
— Susan Cain, Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking
Tagged: Groupthink, Understanding Culture
“There's zero correlation between being the best talker and having the best ideas.”
— Susan Cain, Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking
Tagged: Charisma, Introverts
“Don’t think of introversion as something that needs to be cured.”
— Susan Cain, Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking
Tagged: Introverts, Being an Introvert Is An Advantage
“The highly sensitive tend to be philosophical or spiritual in their orientation, rather than materialistic or hedonistic. They dislike small talk. They often describe themselves as creative or intuitive. They dream vividly, and can often recall their dreams the next day. They love music, nature, art, physical beauty. They feel exceptionally strong emotions— sometimes acute bouts of joy, but also sorrow, melancholy, and fear.”
— Susan Cain, Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking
Tagged: Introvert, What It Means To Be An Introvert, Introverted Personality Type
“Shyness is the fear of social disapproval or humiliation, while introversion is a preference for environments that are not overstimulating. Shyness is inherently painful; introversion is not.”
— Susan Cain, Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking
Tagged: Introversion vs. Shyness, shyness, Psychology, Human Feelings
“We don’t need giant personalities to transform companies. We need leaders who build not their own egos but the institutions they run.”
— Susan Cain, Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking
Tagged: Introverts, Business, Leadership
“Our culture is biased against quiet and reserved people, but introverts are responsible for some of humanity's greatest achievements.”
— Susan Cain, Introverts run the world -- quietly
Tagged: Who Runs The World?
“Love is essential; gregariousness is optional.”
— Susan Cain, Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking
Tagged: Introverts, How Introverts Operate, No Need For Talk Just Love
“College students who tend to study alone learn more over time than those who work in groups. Even elite athletes in team sports often spend unusual amounts of time in solitary practice.”
— Susan Cain, Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking
Tagged: Solitude, In Praise of Introverts, Introverts, College
“Whoever you are, bear in mind that appearance is not reality. Some people act like extroverts, but the effort costs them in energy, authenticity, and even physical health. Others seem aloof or self-contained, but their inner landscapes are rich and full of drama. So the next time you see a person with a composed face and a soft voice, remember that inside her mind she might be solving an equation, composing a sonnet, designing a hat. She might, that is, be deploying the powers of quiet.”
— Susan Cain, Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking
Tagged: Understanding People, Appearances Can Be Deceiving