In "Quiet," author Susan Cain deftly shows the healthy differences between introverts and extroverts and makes a compelling case for how American society tends to admire extroverted traits and set up many aspects of our lives - education, work environments, and even religious institutions - in ways that can be detrimental to introverts.
One of out every 2 or 3 Americans is introverted, according to Cain, but yet this is ofen ignored when establishing patterns of working together and fostering creativity. For example, in most public education systems today, students are grouped in clusters in the classroom, working on group projects almost non-stop. In workplaces, offices are being abandoned in favor of open floor plans. Such structures can hinder introverts, many of whom require quiet, uninterrupted time to formulate ideas and develop responses.
Cain also makes compelling arguments against group brainstorming and shows, through studies and other evidence, how people brainstorming together and "groupthink" scenarios can actually hinder creativity and idea generation.
Cain is not arguing that introverts are superior or that every aspect of life should be geared toward their preferences. However, she does make the case, quite superbly, that ignoring the differences between introverts and extroverts can have a damaging effect on relationships, businesses, and society. A great read for introverts and anyone who interacts with them - teachers, parents, spouses, bosses and pretty much everyone.
- Cari Cusick
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