Book Review: Quiet: The Power of Introverts, by Susan Cain

Quiet is a book which talks about introversion, and introverts' perception in today's world where extroversion has become the personality ideal for everyone. Its a very interesting book to read, based on many researches carried over the years on this topic, but with a geographical limitation of being a very American book. Many interesting examples are discussed to make it real, and its very easy to relate to what's written.

The author starts with how extroversion has become the aspirational personality type in today's world. All cultures across the world used to be 'cultures of character' not so long ago - where everyone knew each other and one'e character was what took him/her forward in life - and now they 
are moving towards a 'culture of personality' - where people do not know each other but form impressions based on what is presented to them.

She then goes on to break two myths. The first is that all leaders of the corporate world are extroverts - apparently it's a 50-50 split!! She goes further to explain that extrovert leaders work better when working with mediocre employees - the employees follow what their leader says and deliver results. However, introvert all-inclusive leaders who listen to their teams work better in corporates with high performing employees - such a leader provides space and flexibility to his/her employees and gives them space to deliver their best. (Its quite an interesting take on the topic, haven't heard it before ever).

The second myth she breaks is that collaboration always helps bring out creativity, and brainstorming is where the best ideas come about. Apparently, many of the biggest breakthroughs in this world have come about through people working alone. And even though brainstorming is taking over the corporate world by storm as if it is the only thing that works, it may not be the right thing to do!! People sometimes don't give their best in brainstorming sessions, because of fear of rejection by a group. And so it makes sense to tread with care while making the corporate culture group-brainstorm based.

There were many other interesting observations that the author makes, based on various researches - one of which is that introverts very easily become extroverts on the internet. (And this is something we see often). The internet provides these introverts enough anonymity to bring out their best, which may not come out in the usual social setting. And the Linux open software is the best example of this - where collaboration did bolster creativity within a big group except it was all in everyone's private space and not an open brainstorm session.

The author then goes on to talk about the biology which makes a person extrovert. A surprising research shows that babies who are highly reactive as kids become introverts - they get more affected by external changes and disturbances, making them more inward looking and avoiding any changes around them. Less reactive babies are more at peace with external influences and hence able to be more extrovert.

The highly reactive babies are more sensitive too, to other people. They are naturally empathatic, feel other people's pain naturally. Its in their genes. And such sensitive people are even necessary for the human species to survive. She goes on to describe how in the animal world too, the 'quieter' or 'slow' animals in the pack actually survive better in normal times as they think before they act. (Its all quite counter-intuitive actually but interesting).

Giving many more examples, the author then links extroversion to the market crash of 2008. She identifies a link between extroversion and reward sensitivity - extroverts have a bigger susceptibility to being affected by quick rewards and hence are more likely to make riskier and brash decisions. As per the author, introverts are genetically 'geared to inspect' while extroverts are 'geared to respond'.

In today's world too, if you look at different civilisations, you see how good behaviour is defined differently. Even in America, the Asian-Americans pay so much more stress on being quiet and wise, which is completely different from the Americans. But it is nothing to be embaraased about, in fact this quietness gives more persistence to such people which the world has seen before in Gandhi.

Lastly the author talks about how introverts deal with these differences in today's world. One way is that introverts become extroverts when they are trying to achieve something they really care about. It drives them so much that they can have an alternate persona quite easily. Also, setting up agreements with oneself can help. If introverts decide that this one thing I would do as an extrovert every so frequently and then go back to what I am naturally - it works wonderfully!!

Introverts and extroverts also communicate very differently to and with each other, especially between couples. One of the reasons is that introverts feel more positive towards people who talk friendly with them while extroverts feel positive towards people who compete with them. Second, social situations are difficult for introverts as they need to multitask - talk to people, understand them, talk back etc. while extroverts don't feel the same pressure. And interestingly, introverts and extroverts sometimes do enjoy talking to each other - the introverts can be more relaxed with them and not have to think hard about what to say, while the extroverts can get away from having to act upbeat and carry on superficial chatter.

The author also touches about an important topic of dealing with introversion in children and helping them overcome their fears and shyness in a non-demanding way rather than being too pushy towards extroversion.

It was a very eye-opening book to read. Anyone who is or knows introverts, should definitely read it. Its very heartening to understand and accept these differences and not feel pressured to conform to the extrovert personality.