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

I give this four stars only on the basis that the book could have been slightly shorter, but it will still a interesting read. I watched Susan's ideas first on TED, which is where I later discovered this up coming book. I had to buy a copy. This book is really relevant to my life and work right now. I work in a primary school and the book explained perfectly why the school is laid out how it is. Made me realize how little space there actually is for introverts and the whole direction of future education (especially within the UK). It also clarified that what I thought about myself wasn't an excuse, which I'd been told most of my life for being an introvert - and that I could easily change if I desperately wanted to - which at times I did. Even though the book wasn't as reveling to new ideas as I hoped, it revealed one thing to me that I would always push back when it came time for me to be judged on my introversion: I should embrace my introversion more to fulfill my potential and strengths - while educating where I can in small quantities to break misconceptions of introversion.

It has been interesting reading about introversion because I am also an introvert. It is biased towards introverts and I think it might be uncomfortable to read from an extrovert's perspective - perhaps one that might be reading to understand introverts better. Heavy criticism of extroversion and the narrative of scenarios seems to often paint extroverts in a negative way. Despite the good-bad undertone, I got some valuable thinking points to reflect on.

A great book, that I am sure will truly add a lot of value to introverts out there, which according to Susan, make up almost 50% of the population. In the West, we do live in a world where extroversion is highly valued. It helps you get promotions, it helps you in social life, and if you're quiet, you may often feel down, undervalued, somewhat apart from everything that happens around you. Susan not only demystifies this and highlights the qualities of introverts (eg the quite persistence that often achieves so much - think Ghandi; or even the see thorough power of Warren Buffett) but also will help introverts understand themselves better. For example, that they do recharge better by themselves rather than through other people (as extroverts do) - so explaining why you may feel so drained after social events while your friends might be buzzing. A great book not only for introverts that will help them to understand themselves in a deeper way (and take some learnings and actions from it) but also for extroverts, who can learn the positive side of introversion and reflection and also how to better deal with introverts.