Current Mood: Wondering

Current Song: A Sight for Sore Eyes by Tom Waits

I recently had a chance to read Susan Cain’s new book, “Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking.” As I read past the introduction, I sighed with relief.  I identified with so much already in the book that I could hardly wait to get through the rest of it!

I remember dreading group work as a child, and sitting in those group pods in school. I remember preferring to hide in the library and reading at lunchtime than playing tag outside. I prefer a Saturday night in than out. I don’t have a giant emotional range when it comes to confrontation, but I am deeply sensitive to my surroundings, am able to read people quite well (good for PR!), and tend to be wary of unplanned forays into novelty.

Extroversion is rather prized in most workplaces as well. Having worked for very extroverted bosses over my lifetime, I remember being uncomfortably quiet and dreading office birthdays. At my first job in retail when I was 15, the boss said of me one day, “Well she’s quiet and doesn’t smile much…”. I spent nearly 8 years at that job.

Cain’s book makes my behaviour okay.  She brings to light the really interesting research on sensitivity and reactivity, as well as on when and how to engage introverts in the workplace and as children.

It’s a sweeping sense of relief that empowered introverts in this book. I have always led in my own way, but I prefer not to make a show of it. Now I know that this is alright, and that it’s better to be authentic in who you are, rather than trying to fake it.  Sure there are times that we need to employ tactics to move forward with our work and what we want to do, but there is a great strength in knowing that we are able to come back to our true natures.

A word of warning though: Being an introvert is not an excuse not to engage.  If anything, it’s using the strengths that you have to engage on an even deeper level.  None of this “I am an introvert so I’m never going to network” business. This is a cop-out, and a disservice to yourself, as you don’t give people the benefit of getting to know you better. Take this research and this book, and hone in on your strengths. Let the world know – quietly if you want – that you exist.

This book is a great read for both introverts and extroverts. I think of it as sensitivity training of sorts. Sometimes introverts need a bit of space to emerge from the shouting. We have great ideas, and contribute a whole lot through our persistence.  All leaders should read this book.  Chances are at least a third of your team is introverts. You just don’t know it.