8/3/2019 Quiet by Susan Cain - Q&A
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Photo
Credit:
Aaron
Fedor
Quiet: e Power of Introverts in a
MEET SUSAN CAINSusan Cain believes that self-awareness is at the
heart
of effective communication. In Quiet: The Power of
Introverts in a World That Cant Stop Talking, she shows
how dramatically our culture undervalues introverts,
and she identifiesbased on the latest psychology and
neurosciencethe advantages of being one. Here are some
questions Susan answered about her passion for Quiet.
Q:Why did you write the book?A:Because theres a bias against
introverts. Our schools,workplaces, and religious institutions are
designed forextroverts, and many introverts believe that there
issomething wrong with them and that they should try topass as
extroverts. This bias leads to a colossal waste oftalent, energy,
and, ultimately, happiness.
Q:What personal significance does the subjecthave for you?
A:When I was in my twenties, I started practicing corporatelaw
on Wall Street. At first I thought I was taking on anenormous
challenge, because in my mind, the successfullawyer was comfortable
in the spotlight, whereas I wasintroverted and occasionally shy.
But I soon realized thatmy nature had a lot of advantages: I was
good at buildingloyal alliances, one-on-one, behind the scenes; I
could closemy door, concentrate, and get the work done well;
andlike many introverts, I tended to ask a lot of questions
andlisten intently to the answers, which is an invaluable toolin
negotiation. I started to realize that theres a lot moregoing on
here than the cultural stereotype of the introvert-as-unfortunate
would have you believe. I had to knowmore, so I spent the past five
years researching the powers ofintroversion.
Q:Was there ever a time when American society valuedintroverts
more highly?A:
nraeotstrevortnirofreisaesawtisraeyreilraesnoitanehtnI
respect. America once embodied what the cultural historianWarren
Susman called a Culture of Character, whichvalued inner strength,
integrity, and the good deeds youperformed when no one was looking.
You could cut animpressive figure by being quiet, reserved, and
dignified.Abraham Lincoln was revered as a man who did not
offend
by superiority, as Emerson put it.
Q:What are the advantages to being an introvert?
A:There are too many to list in this short space, but here
aretwo seemingly contradictory qualities that benefit
introverts:introverts like to be aloneand introverts enjoy
beingcooperative. Studies suggest that many of the most
creativepeople are introverts, and this is partly because of
theircapacity for quiet. Introverts are careful, reflective
thinkerswho can tolerate the solitude that idea-generation
requires.On the other hand, implementing good ideas
requirescooperation, and introverts are more likely toprefer
cooperative environments, while extrovertsfavor competitive
ones.
World that Cant Stop Talking
Now in PaperbackTR ISBN: 978-0-307-35215-6
eBook ISBN: 978-0-307-45220-7Scan here or visit Susan Cain
atThePowerofIntroverts.com.
http://www.thepowerofintroverts.com/http://www.crownpublishing.com/http://www.thepowerofintroverts.com/
