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Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking
Unavailable
Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking
Unavailable
Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking
Audiobook10 hours

Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking

Written by Susan Cain

Narrated by Kathe Mazur

Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

4/5

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Currently unavailable

Currently unavailable

About this audiobook

At least one-third of the people we know are introverts. They are the ones who prefer listening to speaking, reading to partying; who innovate and create but dislike self-promotion; who favor working on their own over brainstorming in teams. Although they are often labeled "quiet," it is to introverts that we owe many of the great contributions to society--from van Gogh's sunflowers to the invention of the personal computer.

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.

LanguageEnglish
Release dateJan 24, 2012
ISBN9781415959138
Unavailable
Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking

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Reviews for Quiet

Rating: 4.0890432062055595 out of 5 stars
4/5

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  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    I always knew I was an introvert and this book solidified this when I answered true to 18 of the 20 questions. It also helped me understand why I don't like to make small talk, why I'm exhausted after work and need quiet time and why I would rather be home with a book instead of in a big crowd. I love going to sporting events but just the thought of being around all the people exhausts me. I also understand why I'm tired after work even though I sit behind a computer. My desk is in the center of the office so there is high traffic, lots of interruptions and people come to me for help and advice. So there is lots of interruptions, distractions and business around me. I also understand extroverts and can spot them around me. My husband is an extrovert and maybe that is where we balance each other out. He is my buffer sometimes at parties. It also explains why I'm good at writing and expressing myself through the written word.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    TL;DR: We live in an extroverted-oriented society and that causes trouble for everyone. Fortunately, there's a way around."Quiet..." tells us about the introversion-extroversion spectrum, but instead of a rant about introverts being victims, Cain gives us the full picture: introverts and extroverts are just different and none is necessarily better than the other.Through examples and scientific research, Cain shows us not only how we've come to live in an extrovert-oriented society, but the troubles that ideal carries and what small steps we can take to prevent it at work, home and with children.Great read for those who either are introverts or know one (which statistically is almost everyone). Don't be afraid of being yourself
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    If you know an introvert or if you label yourself as one, this book is a must read! I learned more about myself while reading this book than in the past 25 years that I've been alive.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    Just finished this book this morning. Some parts of it were very enlightening, some parts were validating. I too am an introvert, and have spent much of my life feeling like I should be more outgoing, but I just can't. I can pull it off for short bits of time, but always revert to my quiet ways. As I have gotten older, I feel more ok about this. This book reinforces the idea that there is nothing wrong with the introvert.

    I felt some of the examples in the book went on too long. Two that come to mind are the Asian kids in Cupertino and the married introvert/extrovert couple. I felt the points could have been made quicker, and in a less boring fashion. But overall, I got a lot of good information from this book. I especially liked the information about parenting an introverted child.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    I found the author's thoughts insightful and I appreciated the treatment of the topic of introversion. Since I consider myself an introvert, I can relate to much of the information provided and like to consider the positive sides of this personality trait. I freely recommend this book.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    Some very good ideas, but boy does she beat you over the head with her main premise. Ok, I *get* it - introverts rule!
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    Who knew that that's why I always let the phone go to voicemail? And the whole idea about needing time out to recover from socialising - I always thought I was just a bit odd, haha.The criticisms that are quite rightly levelled at this book about preaching some kind of binarism between extrovert and introvert are understandable, and am I'm sure that we are all a little too complex for a poorly designed set of questions to provide any sort of sensible analysis or categorisation (would still like to see the questions though...) Most people will be surely be somewhere close to 'ambivert' even if they know themselves to be introverted at heart. For me a major part of young socialisation and growing up was learning to act like an extrovert, if nothing else just to stop people trying to 'bring me out of my shell' or constantly asking what's up as I am 'being quiet'. Isn't it odd that both introverts and extroverts both seem to think they have the worst press! Perhaps not though: it's easy to overrate our own perspective and under-rate others.It is true that the world seems set up to enable extroverts to achieve and feel comfortable but I guess that is because we are essentially a social species. However, as many people point out, there are different kinds of introvert and some come across as sociable creatures, either because they are highly motivated to do this or because they find it easier to adopt an extrovert persona from time to time. Everyone falls somewhere on the scale of introversion to extraversion and so can be "boxed" in this way but the dynamic complexities of personality create many different types of introverts and extroverts and we can all recognise the unique combination in ourselves.It's just much less hard work to use obvious personality traits to make judgments about people and employers are often guilty of taking the easy path when selecting people for jobs. I’ve always wondered why employers don't make the effort to recognise how other traits interact with introversion and predispose some introverts to excel in overtly stereotypically extrovert jobs.Contrary to what a lot of people posting here seem to think, is that introverts are not necessarily 'quiet and shy'. Introversion simply means that people have a preference to do things alone and become easily tired/impatient/drained/distracted by the company of other people, preferring to avoid a lot of external stimuli. That doesn't, however, mean that when they do socialise, they are necessarily awkward or shy about it. Plenty of people who score very highly on the scale of introversion come across as confident, even loud, in situations where they have to interact with others - it's just that they wouldn't usually choose to do it. Similarly, there are some very quiet extroverts who love being in company but don't necessarily want to the centre of attention.I've always described myself as an outgoing-introvert. That may sound like an oxymoron but it works for me. I scored 14 in one of the test being bandied about at the time, and most of my answers were either emphatic yes's or definite no's. The thing is, and I'm sure plenty will recognise this in themselves; I'm perfectly self-assured if I have to give a guided tour, make a speech, teach a class in public because people are concentrating not on me but on what I'm doing. But I dread leaving do's as the focus is completely on me the person, not me the speaker, guide, teacher, actor or singer. For the same reason, I don't tell colleagues when my birthday's coming up and as for doing something insane like having a big party (my wife loves those)? Yikes! Perish the thought. Oh, and the outgoing side of me will happily and confidently converse with new people just so long as I've been introduced to them first or they've approached me. Ask me to march boldly up to a new group of people, or even ones who are just acquaintances rather than friends, and I'll most likely ignore them altogether.I think there's a problem with the criteria Susan Cain uses. For example, I'm a major outgoing-introvert as I stated above, yet I have no problem with "multitasking", which I understand to mean being sufficiently organised to cope with more than one thing at a time. I don't quite know how this is an indication of introversion, because often this involves no human interaction at all (the idea seems to be that if you're an introvert, you must be the kind who plods a single furrow - but why?). Equally, some of the most introverted people I know relished being in (or in front of) groups of people because they could hide in the crowd or in a role they played to the crowd - but found it hard to function when, faced with just one or two people, they had to engage as themselves.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    As an introvert much seemed rather obvious but interesting nonetheless. i was surprised to hear how much things have tilted to reward the extrovert in recent years; schooling and working in teams.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Cain writes why the introverts can now stop defending ourselves. That inner focus and need to recharge don't equate to shyness or inability to relate. Introverts react more to outside stimuli and prefer a chance to perceive intentionally, which often enables them to be more perceptive and a different kind of negotiator, leader, or anything else. Quiet has plenty of well-researched wisdom, told through relevant stories. I can see why it's been such a phenomenon.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    A very informative book showing that it's not ways best to be loud and outgoing. It's ok to be quiet and introspective in order to care for yourself and recharge your batteries.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    I loved the information on introverts. Really encouraging for any introvert.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    I appreciated this book greatly both for its emphasis on how to support introverts and emphasizing the strengths of us. One strength being: to listen well and deeply, and thinking before responding. Secondly, negotiating uncomfortable situations (parties, dinners, large gatherings, etc.), and learning to come to those places from a position of strength (being well-rested and remembering how the situation is attached to something you love). Finally, it was good to have many examples of people who have been leaders, speakers, and CEOs with significant introvert tendencies.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    I thought this book presented introverts in a way that would help others understand them. In our highly extroverted culture, introverts are easily overrun and overlooked. They are not broken. They do not need to be fixed. They do have something to contribute: often they are the ones who will stick with a problem and look at it from all angles to come up with a solution. They also are a check and balance on the impulsive decision making nature of extroverts who tend to get caught up in the chase. Both types are needed in our society.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    This book falls into my category of books that inform my understanding and affirm my impressions of what I've often felt about myself- that I'm an introvert in some ways, many ways. I appreciated Cain's research and interviews -with a variety of people, from pastors to businesswomen. Cain delves into personality theory, business management practices and education, to explain how different people (introverts vs. extroverts) operate in various circumstances. I'd never given much thought to layouts of meeting rooms in terms of their affects on behavior and feelings. I must have had a subconscious sense of some of what she describes in a typical classroom- to sway my direction toward home schooling my children- both introverts with sensory issues of one sort or another. I'm thankful for the success of this book, a New York Times bestseller, as it means many people will read it and perhaps learn and be more sensitive to the quiet, the introverts, who often get glossed over, ignored and stereotyped as shy and awkward, with little regard for their hidden talents and magnificent ideas. Highly recommend this book.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    This book addresses the labels of introverts and extroverts and what that means in the workforce, the academy, and life in general. I agreed with the premise of the book that those who are "quiet" or introverts are a very important people in our society.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Excellent.. I first heard of this last year on NPR and put it on my "to read" list, just now making the time for it. Cain does a great job talking about introversion and extroversion, and how introverts (even partial introverts) can adapt and function. I saw a lot of myself and my adaptations in here. Excellent.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Insightful, providing explanations and tactics for people that are somewhat introverted, shy or not. It is also useful for understanding others in your life, those who might need more downtime and quiet. Overall, it was an enjoyable read, but I was less enthused as the book went on, as it transitioned from the scientific basis of introversion to real life stories and strategies."
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    What a wonderful book! I highly recommend it not just to fellow introverts, but to teachers, parents, or anyone who would like to gain a better understanding of introversion and extroversion.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Outstanding insights into the introspective personality. Very readable and not overly technical.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    A good book for people who are completely unfamiliar with the concepts of introversion and extroversion, or who are having difficulty coping with everyday situations. Personally, I found that it leaned a little too heavily on "anecdata" for my tastes.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    This book explains so much about me!
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    great, great book. being an introvert and having a good and thoughtful understanding of what this means, i still learned a lot from this book. cain's research for quiet seems very well done (and so interesting) and her style is engaging. i think this is one of those books that everyone should read as it will likely help open some eyes and minds and allow people to better understand and respect one another.
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    Great book that really understands the introvert mindset and struggles.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    "Quiet.." was a scholarly book with much insight, but would be better served in a abridged version.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    This book just made me solidify my instinct and my belief that I am an introvert. I love this audio book. I am thinking of getting the hard copy of this book. Lots of useful and great insights in this book! Well-researched, and taught well.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    This is one for my collection, one can learn a lot about his/her personality, great situations and examples cited along the way. Was a bit disappointed when I finished it as I could've read it for ages....very interesting and refreshing view on society, parenting and many other social issues...will read again hopefully!!
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Illuminating book on the virtues of introverts. Perfect gift for introvert high school kids and their parents. This is a love letter to all the introverts, a guide to designing our introvert lives and a call to action to build communities of fellowship. Highly recommended
  • Rating: 4 out of 5 stars
    4/5
    I listened to the audiobook.

    If you're an introvert you most certainly will identify in yourself a lot of the characteristics and behaviors described in the book.

    My only recommendation would be for anyone who reads this type of book not to get impressed and label him or herself for life as an introvert, the same way many people tend to read astrology and go "Yes, I'm so Scorpio!"...

    Introverts and extroverts have different needs and crave different stimuli, different things wear out their energies and that's the way it is. Sure both "sides" can improve their deficiencies but up to a point.

    The most important message in the book is that introverted people should accept the way they are instead of trying to force themselves into becoming extroverts.

    I give it 4 stars because I think there could be more references to scientific research.

    Also on the audiobook version the person who read the book seemed to force herself to speak softly because of the several references in the book to introverts as people who are soft spoken.

    I don't know what is the basis for this clam although this topic appears several times in the book for what I can remember now and it seemed unauthentic the way the way the person read the audiobook. Somewhat annoying, at least to me.

    Interesting book, though.
    I certainly will read the printed version in the future.
  • Rating: 3 out of 5 stars
    3/5
    Case studies were helpful. Offered insight into points being made.
  • Rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    5/5
    Excellent book and a very pleasant voice in the audiobook version. Made it easy to listen to and digest.