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Quiet: The Power of Introverts

How to thrive in a world that can't stop talking.

Introversion
Ten Steps to Promoting Yourself and Your Work

Susan Cain on September 13, 2011

Here's a ten-step guide to self-promotion, for those of you struggling with the question of how to "put yourself out there" (and who doesn't struggle, in an era that seems to call for the constant announcement of one's own existence?)

Here's a ten-step guide to self-promotion, for those of you struggling with the question of how to "put yourself out there" (and who doesn't struggle, in an era that seems to call for the constant announcement of one's own existence?)

Confidence
Some People Are More Certain of Everything than I Am of Anything

Susan Cain on August 31, 2011

I love this quote from Robert Rubin, the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury under President Clinton, because it states so cleverly something I often feel. If you say “X,” I automatically think, “But what about Y?” and “Is X always X”?

I love this quote from Robert Rubin, the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury under President Clinton, because it states so cleverly something I often feel. If you say “X,” I automatically think, “But what about Y?” and “Is X always X”?

Career
Three Steps to a Rich Inner Life—at Work

Susan Cain on August 26, 2011

1. Set daily goals, so you feel that you’re continually making progress. If you’re writing a novel, for example, you should focus not on the day two years from now when you aim to write “The End,” but on the moment, two hours from now, when you complete your daily 500 word quota.

1. Set daily goals, so you feel that you’re continually making progress. If you’re writing a novel, for example, you should focus not on the day two years from now when you aim to write “The End,” but on the moment, two hours from now, when you complete your daily 500 word quota.

Extroversion
Do Introverts and Extroverts See Reality Differently?

Susan Cain on August 23, 2011

"Are Extroverts Ruining Psychologists' Surveys?" So read the LiveScience headline, in an article describing research findings that extroverts answer survey questions with more extreme responses than introverts do.

"Are Extroverts Ruining Psychologists' Surveys?" So read the LiveScience headline, in an article describing research findings that extroverts answer survey questions with more extreme responses than introverts do.

Introversion
The Best Way to Learn

Susan Cain on August 22, 2011

"We've always known that one-on-one is the best way to learn...but we've never been able to figure out how to do it." Until now.

So says Salman Khan, the lovable math nerd behind the much celebrated Khan Academy.

"We've always known that one-on-one is the best way to learn...but we've never been able to figure out how to do it." Until now.

So says Salman Khan, the lovable math nerd behind the much celebrated Khan Academy.

Introversion
Reading Ideas for the Weekend: An Intellectual Hero, and More

Susan Cain on August 19, 2011

"By acting as if I was not afraid, I gradually ceased to be afraid." For this weekend's reading and viewing picks, meet Teddy Roosevelt, Mihaly Czikszentmihalyi, and Alyssa Pelish...

"By acting as if I was not afraid, I gradually ceased to be afraid." For this weekend's reading and viewing picks, meet Teddy Roosevelt, Mihaly Czikszentmihalyi, and Alyssa Pelish...

Shyness
The Diane Rehm Show (NPR) Takes On Shyness and Social Anxiety...

Susan Cain on August 18, 2011

...and I was one of the panelists. It was a wonderful experience. Diane Rehm is a kind of national icon, and it was an honor to be in the same room with her, speaking into gigantic microphones on a subject I care about deeply.

...and I was one of the panelists. It was a wonderful experience. Diane Rehm is a kind of national icon, and it was an honor to be in the same room with her, speaking into gigantic microphones on a subject I care about deeply.

Introversion
Um, Ah, Er: Does Hesitation Make You a Better Speaker?

Susan Cain on August 17, 2011

Have you ever wished you could eradicate the “ums” and “ahs” right out of your conversation, and especially your public presentations? Turns out those verbal fillers may play an important role in establishing trust and credibility.

Have you ever wished you could eradicate the “ums” and “ahs” right out of your conversation, and especially your public presentations? Turns out those verbal fillers may play an important role in establishing trust and credibility.

Introversion
The Power of Silence (Courtesy of Marcel Marceau)

Susan Cain on August 2, 2011

"Do not the most moving moments of our lives find us without words?" So asked Marcel Marceau, in a remarkable meditation on the power of silence.

"Do not the most moving moments of our lives find us without words?" So asked Marcel Marceau, in a remarkable meditation on the power of silence.

Introversion
Three Introverted CEOs and What You Can Learn From Them

Susan Cain on August 1, 2011

Many people believe that extroverts are more "natural" leaders than introverts, but recent groundbreaking research out of the Wharton and Harvard business schools suggests that introverts often outperform extroverts as leaders. Here are three examples of outstanding quiet CEOs:

Many people believe that extroverts are more "natural" leaders than introverts, but recent groundbreaking research out of the Wharton and Harvard business schools suggests that introverts often outperform extroverts as leaders. Here are three examples of outstanding quiet CEOs:

Introversion
How to Work a Crowd, for Introverts

Susan Cain on July 29, 2011

Here's a shocker for you: NOBODY likes "small talk", which is why the rest of the world refers to it as "conversation". When you label face to face communication with another human being as "small", it automatically makes it seem shallow or useless, when it's not.

Here's a shocker for you: NOBODY likes "small talk", which is why the rest of the world refers to it as "conversation". When you label face to face communication with another human being as "small", it automatically makes it seem shallow or useless, when it's not.

Shyness
Watch this Teacher Engage Shy Students Via Twitter

Susan Cain on July 28, 2011

I'm quickly becoming a fan of social media in the classroom, especially for shy or introverted kids. Here's a CNN video of a high school teacher using Twitter to reach his students, especially the shy ones.

I'm quickly becoming a fan of social media in the classroom, especially for shy or introverted kids. Here's a CNN video of a high school teacher using Twitter to reach his students, especially the shy ones.

Introversion
Introvert vs. Extrovert Survival Strategies

Susan Cain on July 26, 2011

Recently my family vacationed at a lake full of kids, and I couldn't help but compare two children on the beach. As a pair, they were a perfect example of introvert vs. extrovert survival strategies.

Recently my family vacationed at a lake full of kids, and I couldn't help but compare two children on the beach. As a pair, they were a perfect example of introvert vs. extrovert survival strategies.

Introversion
10 Public Speaking Tips For Introverts

Susan Cain on July 25, 2011

Know your strengths and weaknesses as a speaker, and accentuate the positive. If you have a great sense of humor, use it. If you’re not a natural cut-up, don’t try to be. Instead, focus on what you do best. Thoughtful and thought-provoking is every bit as powerful as dynamic and entertaining...

Know your strengths and weaknesses as a speaker, and accentuate the positive. If you have a great sense of humor, use it. If you’re not a natural cut-up, don’t try to be. Instead, focus on what you do best. Thoughtful and thought-provoking is every bit as powerful as dynamic and entertaining...

Creativity
Why Creative People Are Rarely Seen as Leaders, and What To Do About It

Susan Cain on July 21, 2011

Everyone wants to work for, or invest in, the world’s most creative companies. Yet a recent study out of the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania suggests that people who show true creativity – those whose ideas are not only useful but also original – are rarely seen as leaders.

Everyone wants to work for, or invest in, the world’s most creative companies. Yet a recent study out of the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania suggests that people who show true creativity – those whose ideas are not only useful but also original – are rarely seen as leaders.

Shyness
Does Feminism Make Room for Shy or Introverted Girls?

Susan Cain on July 19, 2011

In our efforts to instill confidence in young women, are we promoting an ideal of sassy outspokenness that’s just as confining as the 1950s model of docility?

In our efforts to instill confidence in young women, are we promoting an ideal of sassy outspokenness that’s just as confining as the 1950s model of docility?

Introversion
The Quiet Online Book Club is Here–Please Vote For Your First Book Selection!

Susan Cain on July 18, 2011

We've been talking for a while about launching a Quiet Online Book Club. It's time finally to get started! Every month we'll choose a paperback book, and give ourselves three weeks to read it. During the fourth week, we'll meet on my Facebook page for a great discussion. Here's how to vote for your first book selection.

We've been talking for a while about launching a Quiet Online Book Club. It's time finally to get started! Every month we'll choose a paperback book, and give ourselves three weeks to read it. During the fourth week, we'll meet on my Facebook page for a great discussion. Here's how to vote for your first book selection.

Introversion
Introverts in the Church

Susan Cain on July 14, 2011

If you have a religious or spiritual practice, do you find your introversion to be an asset? A barrier? Valued? Misunderstood? Here is Reverend Adam McHugh on "Introverts in the Church."

If you have a religious or spiritual practice, do you find your introversion to be an asset? A barrier? Valued? Misunderstood? Here is Reverend Adam McHugh on "Introverts in the Church."

Introversion
Want to Participate in the Quiet Revolution? Here's How

Susan Cain on July 11, 2011

What would it look like if we could really make our culture more balanced between action and contemplation, between introverts and extroverts? What if we started in our own lives? What if we did it TODAY?

What would it look like if we could really make our culture more balanced between action and contemplation, between introverts and extroverts? What if we started in our own lives? What if we did it TODAY?