Quiet: The Power of Introverts

Introversion

How Pursuing a Quest Can Bring Purpose to Your Life

Susan Cain on August 17, 2015

Author Chris Guillebeau, on the value of adventure and the power of quests can bring greater meaning into life.

Author Chris Guillebeau, on the value of adventure and the power of quests can bring greater meaning into life.

Introversion

Why Your Life Story Matters and Why You Need to Tell It Now

Susan Cain on August 10, 2015

What narrative have you constructed from the events of your life? And do you know that this is the single most important question you can ask yourself?

What narrative have you constructed from the events of your life? And do you know that this is the single most important question you can ask yourself?

Introversion

"You Have Today to Do What Matters Most"

Susan Cain on August 3, 2015

Susan Cain interviews author, Tom Rath, on his secrets to living wisely, staying healthy, fighting anxiety, and his life as a proud introvert.

Susan Cain interviews author, Tom Rath, on his secrets to living wisely, staying healthy, fighting anxiety, and his life as a proud introvert.

Career

Getting Credit, Shining in Job Interviews, and More

Susan Cain on July 27, 2015

A Work Q&A with Susan Cain.

A Work Q&A with Susan Cain.

Leadership

Who’s an Example of Introverted Leadership?

Susan Cain on July 20, 2015

Bestselling author Susan Cain provides a stunning example of introverted leadership--and it's not Gandhi or Rosa Parks.

Bestselling author Susan Cain provides a stunning example of introverted leadership--and it's not Gandhi or Rosa Parks.

Introversion

Readers Ask Susan Cain: What Inspired “Quiet”?

Susan Cain on July 16, 2015

Susan Cain answers a reader's question about the spark that began "Quiet," the bestselling book.

Susan Cain answers a reader's question about the spark that began "Quiet," the bestselling book.

Relationships

How to Learn to Love Networking

Susan Cain on June 29, 2015

We all want to connect at a deep level. The only question is, how do you find the magical portal to the deep stuff?

We all want to connect at a deep level. The only question is, how do you find the magical portal to the deep stuff?

Introversion

How to Be Courageous

Susan Cain on June 25, 2015

Notice every time you do something that you’re scared to do—something your body is telling you not to do. You’ll start to realize that you do these things all the time. You’re already much braver than you think.

Notice every time you do something that you’re scared to do—something your body is telling you not to do. You’ll start to realize that you do these things all the time. You’re already much braver than you think.

Introversion

How I Quit My Job and Became a Writer

Susan Cain on June 15, 2015

When at age 33 I quit corporate law to become a writer, most people I knew, including my very own self, thought I was nuts.

When at age 33 I quit corporate law to become a writer, most people I knew, including my very own self, thought I was nuts.

Introversion

7 Ways to Use the Power of Powerless Communication

Susan Cain on July 4, 2013

When people think you’re trying to influence them, they put their guard up. But when they feel you’re trying to help them, or to muse your way to the right answer, or to be honest about your own imperfections, they open up to you. They hear what you have to say.

When people think you’re trying to influence them, they put their guard up. But when they feel you’re trying to help them, or to muse your way to the right answer, or to be honest about your own imperfections, they open up to you. They hear what you have to say.

Ethics and Morality

Is Great Courage (Im)possible?

Susan Cain on February 5, 2013

Did you know that political scientists call Holocaust rescuers — that singular group of people who risked their lives and wellbeing to save others — "John Donne's people"?

Did you know that political scientists call Holocaust rescuers — that singular group of people who risked their lives and wellbeing to save others — "John Donne's people"?

Relationships

Thoughts on Super Bowl Sunday

Susan Cain on February 3, 2013

Oh, the Super Bowl. I am always bemused by Super Bowl Sunday, and not just because I’m indifferent (yes, it’s true, I’m afraid I am) to football.

It’s the social ritual of the event that strikes me as curious.

Oh, the Super Bowl. I am always bemused by Super Bowl Sunday, and not just because I’m indifferent (yes, it’s true, I’m afraid I am) to football.

It’s the social ritual of the event that strikes me as curious.

Religion

Why Atheists and Believers Need Each Other

Susan Cain on December 23, 2011

Here's the question that comes up every holiday season, sometimes explicitly, often not: "Is there a God?"

You already know the answers. Some say yes, others say no, and then we argue about it ceaselessly. But here's a different way to look at the question.

Here's the question that comes up every holiday season, sometimes explicitly, often not: "Is there a God?"

You already know the answers. Some say yes, others say no, and then we argue about it ceaselessly. But here's a different way to look at the question.

Play

Do You Play to an Inner or Outer Audience?

Susan Cain on December 19, 2011

Do you march to your own drummer, or do as the Romans do? The answer to this question says a lot about you.

Do you march to your own drummer, or do as the Romans do? The answer to this question says a lot about you.

What kind of happy are you? There are many different ways to define happiness.

Introversion

Why You Dislike Multi-Tasking

Susan Cain on October 5, 2011

Introverts are not as good at extroverts at multi-tasking, research suggests; our brains juggle competing bits of incoming information less efficiently. On the other hand, introverts tend to be better than extroverts at focusing on single tasks. It's thought that this is a major reason why we enjoy focusing and going deep -- and why we don't like social chit-chat.

Introverts are not as good at extroverts at multi-tasking, research suggests; our brains juggle competing bits of incoming information less efficiently. On the other hand, introverts tend to be better than extroverts at focusing on single tasks. It's thought that this is a major reason why we enjoy focusing and going deep -- and why we don't like social chit-chat.

My latest step in my Year of Speaking Dangerously was to make an appointment with the lovely Gina Barnett, a respected consultant who works with many TED speakers and C-suite leaders. Recently we had our first session, and it was surprisingly fun. Here’s what I learned:

In my book research, I noticed that introverts often spend so much of their lives conforming to extroverted norms that by the time they choose a career, it feels perfectly normal to ignore their own preferences. So here are four questions to help you find work you love:

Fear

What Do You Regret Most?

Susan Cain on September 15, 2011

Recently, I had the chance to participate in an intimate salon for 65 women leaders of different ages, hosted by the inimitable Jacqueline Novogratz, CEO of the Acumen Fund, and Batool Hassan, a Business Development Manager at Acumen.

Recently, I had the chance to participate in an intimate salon for 65 women leaders of different ages, hosted by the inimitable Jacqueline Novogratz, CEO of the Acumen Fund, and Batool Hassan, a Business Development Manager at Acumen.

Personality

Are You More of a Social Psychologist or a Personality Psychologist?

Susan Cain on September 14, 2011

I never cease to be amazed by how different people are. We're all human. We all rejoice when troubadors come calling, love our children desperately, and secretly believe we're going to live forever. But then we're all so different.

I never cease to be amazed by how different people are. We're all human. We all rejoice when troubadors come calling, love our children desperately, and secretly believe we're going to live forever. But then we're all so different.