Are you an introvert? Many artists are. Many of us would turn down a party invitation in favor of sitting alone at home to work on a creative project. Unfortunately, in this world where extroversion seems to be favored, introverts can feel like there’s something wrong with the core of who they are. Yet, as Susan Cain explains in her book, “Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking”, it’s often the introverts, with their quiet persistence, that have changed the world. Think of Ghandi, Rosa Parks, Lewis Carroll, Albert Einstein, Vincent van Gogh, George Orwell, Charles Darwin, Marie Currie, and more recent world-shakers like J.K. Rowling, Steve Wozniak, Steven Spielberg, Charles Schultz….the list goes on and on. There is, of course, a place for the extrovert, but as Cain says, the world needs our contemplative, calm, sensitive natures, even though western society tries to squash those characteristics from the time we enter nursery school and throughout our careers.

“Quiet” is a well-researched and very well-written book. I had it on loan so I was hoping I’d read it quickly, but found the book far too engaging to simply whizz through. If you’ve ever felt you are “less” because you hate small talk or don’t participate in meetings as much as your collegues, read this book. And if you’re an extrovert, you’ll find invaluable insight in the book about yourself (the book is not down on extroverts!).

Take a look at what Susan Cain has to say: