Quiet | Susan Cain | Talks at Google
355,054
Published 2012-02-08
Passionately argued, impressively researched, and filled with indelible stories of real people, Quiet shows how dramatically we undervalue introverts, and how much we lose in doing so. Taking the reader on a journey from Dale Carnegie's birthplace to Harvard Business School, from a Tony Robbins seminar to an evangelical megachurch, Susan Cain charts the rise of the Extrovert Ideal in the twentieth century and explores its far-reaching effects. She talks to Asian-American students who feel alienated from the brash, backslapping atmosphere of American schools. She questions the dominant values of American business culture, where forced collaboration can stand in the way of innovation, and where the leadership potential of introverts is often overlooked. And she draws on cutting-edge research in psychology and neuroscience to reveal the surprising differences between extroverts and introverts.
Perhaps most inspiring, she introduces us to successful introverts--from a witty, high-octane public speaker who recharges in solitude after his talks, to a record-breaking salesman who quietly taps into the power of questions. Finally, she offers invaluable advice on everything from how to better negotiate differences in introvert-extrovert relationships to how to empower an introverted child to when it makes sense to be a "pretend extrovert."
This extraordinary book has the power to permanently change how we see introverts and, equally important, how introverts see themselves.
All Comments (21)
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close your eyes and her voice is Phoebe from Friends.
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She is hero of all introverts
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Susan Cain is a remarkable woman.
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you know me so well Susan... I cried a little when I watched this. someone understands what is going on. FINALLY!!!
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The stimulaton goes further than noise. For myself clutter is too stimulating also. So glad for this revolution.
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I totally understand what she means about an introverts idea of happiness when she says it's something quieter. I think for a lot of us, it's learning & educating ourselves. I love discovering a new interest on my own, whether it's a new hobby, an author, or genre of music, etc rather than going out dancing or partying like an extroverts idea of fun or happiness. It's the little things we keep to ourselves that make us happy.
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what an amazing woman. i'm watching this video for a class and i really relate to what she's saying. i don't feel so alone anymore.
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Money and fame in our society are becoming synonymous with extroversion. Being introverted, a thinker, or even a private individual is looked down by many. We are now expected in our culture to always be 'on", to be ready and able to be a social butterfly on the drop of a dime. This point in my life I would rather be broke living by myself (or a compatable significant other) in a cabin in the woods and being true to me. A life without introspection and private moments is not worth having.
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This is fantastic info. I'm having relationship problems because I'm an extrovert and she's an introvert. I didn't understand introverts until a recent conflict. It was almost as if we were speaking two different languages... and even with that, she'd avoid talking in person like the plague. It was on a vacation where we were constantly doing things and she needed to recharge. I didn't truly understand it at the time even though i told her i did. I really did take the silence as a betrayal or possibly felt like she had given up on us. Or that she was not interested. But if that never happened I would never have looked into personalities. My new knowledge has helped me notice my friends who are introverts that get dragged along to everything and talk with them better. It's changing so much for me. I wish more people knew this info.
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I am loving this. In my everyday life I keep getting the message that I have to be more talkative, that I have to interact more, "have fun" (in the way an extrovert would define it) ... it is refreshing to hear somebody so succesful who did not have to change who she is in her core
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I found this immensely helpful! I'm an ambivert ENFP. I find my extroversion a hindrance and an embarrassment...to rely on a stimulant outside of myself feels disempowering. Looking to the outer world for validation can become an illness. Introverts don't need other people to have fun...they create whole worlds all in their minds. Introverts take very little from the world, but what they add speaks volumes. <3
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wow i got chills when she said to get into groups i would be horrified
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Great talk, many won't get the crux of the message. If I could have been there, i would have offered Susan a wide window and a nice silent coffee over the best view that was possible on the day. Introverts like us are so under-rated.
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Introverts shouldn't be undervalued anymore in this society!
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22:10 "we need to stop treating them (introverts) like something is wrong with them“ maybe exactly this is one part of the reason why they become great writers & thinkers ....
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Listening to her is like listening to Phoebe from Friends!!! Lol... The same voice... How cool is that? :)
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Susan's voice is sooo soothing!!!!!! And I'm a proud Introvert woman!! ;))
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Exactly, Seclusion gives you piece of mind.
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Isaac Newton: Truth is the offspring of silence and unbroken meditation
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Even I got a feeling of dread when she said to split up into groups of 6
