Susan Cain, a former Wall Street lawyer and self-labeled introvert, opens the door to the world of introverts. Filled with real stories of real people, she charts the rise of the extrovert. Impressively researched, she describes the switch from the culture of character to the culture of personality.
Introverts make up one third to one half of the population. These are not necessarily shy people. (Shy people fear social judgment.) Introversion is more how one responds to stimulation including social stimulation. Extroverts long for extra amounts of stimulation while introverts feel their most capable at their quieter, lower key moments. She details the undervalued strengths of introverts.
She notes that the work environment has moved to the world of brainstorming, offices without walls, committees, all more conducive to the work environment of the extrovert. Research is showing that these are not the most productive work spaces. It is interesting to note that working to get the sum of individuals over committee work gets a better end product. More and good ideas are generated when people think in solitude. She points out that some businesses are taking advantage of this by having sharing via the web…think sharing a document where all can contribute.
She offers research that shows introversion and extroversion are perhaps hardwired from infancy.
This book has the power to permanently change how introverts are viewed in the world.
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