Susan Cain: "The power of introverts"

**Farruco** · 03-10-2012, 03:23 PM

This talk really made up my mind:

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What do you think?

In this TED talk, Susan Cain talks about the joys of introversion as well as the power introverts often hold in their nature. She mentions many great Introverted leaders of the past, and she points out some ways that we stand to strengthen our societies by allowing Introverts to exist as they will

**Social Torture** · 03-10-2012, 03:49 PM

I think... [charasmatic preacher impression] I haaave the power.

**lassie** · 03-10-2012, 03:55 PM

What an inspirational speaker ... hold on ... I just need to ... get my books out of my bag . .. love it :}.
If someone should ask what I am reading about, I will enthusiastically start to explain what to me may be a fascinating topic, however their eyes glaze over very quickly, they start to fidget and then they change the subject to get away from this boring weirdo.
However, if a project needs original, accurate, reliable and creative thought to produce something, then who do you think they come to?
Introverts definitely rule ... quietly

**crowbird213** · 03-10-2012, 04:33 PM

My son who is an ESFP (the entertainer), gets alot of attention from adults. They all think he is going to be somebody. Even my parents both have mentioned to me recently that he has the qualities that are important today. I too think he is special in his own way and definitely should do something with it, but I couldn't help but feel that they both wished I was more like him. Maybe I'm being a little sensitive but I feel as this speaker felt; that introverts are criticized for being themselves and don't get the credit they deserve.

**Glass Chameleon** · 03-10-2012, 09:49 PM

	Originally Posted by lassie To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	If someone should ask what I am reading about, I will enthusiastically start to explain what to me may be a fascinating topic, however their eyes glaze over very quickly, they start to fidget and then they change the subject to get away from this boring weirdo.

Same here, now I tend to just generalize my topic and only go in depth if they seem interested. 95% of the time, they aren't. It just makes me think, if the topic was going to bore you, why did you ask?

It was interesting when she said most teachers think that the extroverted students are the "ideal" ones. They would have access to all their grades, and see the introverts scoring higher, right? Though really, I'm not surprised they feel this way. A lot of extroverts I know speak with such confidence that it makes it seem that they know what they're talking about, when that isn't always true. And it's always fun to tear someone down from their high horse when they're wrong about something.

From personal experience, I am often told by others that they think I'm smart, that I'm the type that does well in school or that I seem like I'd enjoy that stuff. These people make these assumptions about my character when I rarely have conversations with them. I haven't given them a reason to believe I'm smart, but they seem to get that impression because of how quiet I am.

It makes me think that people are under the assumption that someone will not say something unless they know it's true, which is wrong. The extroverts appear intelligent because they speak a lot. The introverts also appear intelligent because, while they may not speak as much, when they do speak it's on something they've probably put some thought into. When either group speaks with confidence, it makes them seem more likely to be right.

**Bardas** · 03-10-2012, 09:54 PM

	Originally Posted by Glass Chameleon To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	Same here, now I tend to just generalize my topic and only go in depth if they seem interested. 95% of the time, they aren't. It just makes me think, if the topic was going to bore you, why did you ask?

They're called social conventions, and they are the bane of my existence.

**Maedhi** · 03-11-2012, 06:33 AM

The 19 minutes of this video is more useful than the 300+ pages of The Introvert Advantage. I hope her book maintains that. Anyone laid hands on it yet?

**Hariar** · 03-11-2012, 10:12 AM

That was an interesting video. That bit about the grandfather stopping up in the conversation I can relate to to some extent, so that was interesting to hear. Heck, I can even relate to the eye contact bit, sometimes hard to know how to play. But yes, that was just anecdotal and a minor part of the video. :-D I got the rest, too.

**history student** · 03-11-2012, 02:52 PM

I liked that video a lot. I am a teacher and I try to balance the need for independent learning with the need for students learning to work in groups. As an introvert I find myself sometimes putting too much emphasis on the group work aspect of my lessons. I feel like the speaker did at summer camp when she hid her books. Since group work is such a struggle for me I feel that I need to teach my students more about it so they can be successful where I am weak. Thanks to this video I may start to re-evaluate my thinking when developing lessons.

**True Rune** · 03-11-2012, 03:01 PM

	Originally Posted by Maedhi To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	The 19 minutes of this video is more useful than the 300+ pages of The Introvert Advantage. I hope her book maintains that. Anyone laid hands on it yet?

I haven't watched the talk yet, but I do have the book. I haven't gotten too far into it, but she's laid out clearly so far our culture's wide preference for extraversion, from top colleges to fast food jobs. It started from Dale Carnegie I think. i'm about 1/3'rd into it.

**Samueza** · 03-11-2012, 06:01 PM

I really like how much she has combined introversion and charm. No sign of the self-pity that may easily accompany introverts (or any other insecure minorities for that matter). When she's on-stage, she's still clearly an introvert but she knows how to work it. I like the talk, but I find that her attitude speaks louder than her words. It's almost a waste she had to put her wisdom into book form... but I guess I'll have to be understanding of that.

**krisl** · 03-11-2012, 11:33 PM

In college, I learned to go into something of an extrovert mode in class so that the teachers would know that I was paying attention and was interested in class. Didn't make me an extrovert. Probably helped my grades a little.

I know that it does seem like a lot of introverts kind of regret being introverts. I don't think I do exactly. In some ways, it's a source of strength to not need people so much.

**Lonpone** · 03-12-2012, 12:12 AM

	Originally Posted by krisl To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	I know that it does seem like a lot of introverts kind of regret being introverts.

I agree. I would say introversion strikes two sides of the introverted populace. The first being the shy individuals who are isolated and wish to mesh with the rest of the world, and the other being those who prefer to sip from a heady brew of concentrated thoughts. Of the two, I would guess that the first is more abundant in this world, and all this "madness" for extroversion may actually be perpetrated by the very introverts to whom this message of outgoing behavior is targeted.

**Maedhi** · 03-12-2012, 12:17 AM

	Originally Posted by True Rune To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
	I haven't watched the talk yet, but I do have the book. I haven't gotten too far into it, but she's laid out clearly so far our culture's wide preference for extraversion, from top colleges to fast food jobs. It started from Dale Carnegie I think. i'm about 1/3'rd into it.

That is my point, actually. Laying out society's preferences for Extroversion is elucidating the disadvantages of being an Introvert – something which I am well aware of. There is very little in the book about the advantages of being an introvert, just a lot of stuff on how to cope with the disadvantages, and lists of celebrities who were introverts with (again), hardly any (or even no) details of how the used introversion to their advantage. In contrast, this video did talk of the power of being an introvert, which is why I hope the book lives up to the video.

**True Rune** · 03-12-2012, 12:45 AM

The talk goes over concepts she writes about in the first few chapters in her book. Other than a couple anecdotes and interactions with the crowd, everything is there in the book. I haven't read more of the book yet, so I'm excited to see what else she has in store.

**Maedhi** · 03-12-2012, 04:19 AM

Originally Posted by Maedhi
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That is my point, actually. Laying out society's preferences for Extroversion is elucidating the disadvantages of being an Introvert – something which I am well aware of. There is very little in the book about the advantages of being an introvert, just a lot of stuff on how to cope with the disadvantages, and lists of celebrities who were introverts with (again), hardly any (or even no) details of how the used introversion to their advantage. In contrast, this video did talk of the power of being an introvert, which is why I hope the book lives up to the video.

Sorry, forgot to mention that I was talking about The Introvert Advantage here. I am interested in reading Susan Cain's book if it is better than The Introvert Advantage.

**WindUp** · 03-14-2012, 09:10 PM

I related so much and really appreciated the video. Especially the bit about stigmas and introverted leaders.

**sabotai** · 03-15-2012, 11:39 AM

I listened to an interview with the author a few months ago on NPR and I'll be able to access this link now that I have 2 posts.

**Bluesea** · 03-16-2012, 04:16 AM

I think it's great she put this viewpoint out there, as introverts are probably the last to do it, regardless of understanding the value of time out; they probably think it is just a weird thing about them personally. Nice that someone is highlighting that there are a lot of people that are collectively in this space, and that they have value in the public arena due to being this way, and can name some examples of that value, as she is right. It is often seen as a form of antisocial behaviour.

Thanks for posting it
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**lassie** · 03-27-2012, 08:18 AM

The BBC have caught onto the benefits of introverts now

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03-10-2012, 03:23 PM	#1
Farruco New Member [01%] MBTI: INTJ Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 33	This talk really made up my mind: To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. What do you think? In this TED talk, Susan Cain talks about the joys of introversion as well as the power introverts often hold in their nature. She mentions many great Introverted leaders of the past, and she points out some ways that we stand to strengthen our societies by allowing Introverts to exist as they will Last edited by JTG; 03-11-2012 at 01:07 PM. Reason: added content from video
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03-10-2012, 03:49 PM	#2
Social Torture Member [16%] MBTI: INTJ Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 668	I think... [charasmatic preacher impression] I haaave the power.
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03-10-2012, 03:55 PM	#3
lassie Member [02%] MBTI: INTJ Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 105	What an inspirational speaker ... hold on ... I just need to ... get my books out of my bag . .. love it :}. If someone should ask what I am reading about, I will enthusiastically start to explain what to me may be a fascinating topic, however their eyes glaze over very quickly, they start to fidget and then they change the subject to get away from this boring weirdo. However, if a project needs original, accurate, reliable and creative thought to produce something, then who do you think they come to? Introverts definitely rule ... quietly
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03-10-2012, 04:33 PM	#4
crowbird213 Member [11%] MBTI: INTJ Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 462	My son who is an ESFP (the entertainer), gets alot of attention from adults. They all think he is going to be somebody. Even my parents both have mentioned to me recently that he has the qualities that are important today. I too think he is special in his own way and definitely should do something with it, but I couldn't help but feel that they both wished I was more like him. Maybe I'm being a little sensitive but I feel as this speaker felt; that introverts are criticized for being themselves and don't get the credit they deserve. Last edited by crowbird213; 03-10-2012 at 04:36 PM. Reason: spelling
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03-11-2012, 06:33 AM	#7
Maedhi Member [10%] MBTI: INTJ Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 412	The 19 minutes of this video is more useful than the 300+ pages of The Introvert Advantage. I hope her book maintains that. Anyone laid hands on it yet?
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03-11-2012, 10:12 AM	#8
Hariar Member [19%] MBTI: INTJ Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 771	That was an interesting video. That bit about the grandfather stopping up in the conversation I can relate to to some extent, so that was interesting to hear. Heck, I can even relate to the eye contact bit, sometimes hard to know how to play. But yes, that was just anecdotal and a minor part of the video. :-D I got the rest, too.
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03-11-2012, 02:52 PM	#9
history student New Member [01%] MBTI: INTJ Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 19	I liked that video a lot. I am a teacher and I try to balance the need for independent learning with the need for students learning to work in groups. As an introvert I find myself sometimes putting too much emphasis on the group work aspect of my lessons. I feel like the speaker did at summer camp when she hid her books. Since group work is such a struggle for me I feel that I need to teach my students more about it so they can be successful where I am weak. Thanks to this video I may start to re-evaluate my thinking when developing lessons.
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03-11-2012, 06:01 PM	#11
Samueza Member [20%] MBTI: iNtj Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 803	I really like how much she has combined introversion and charm. No sign of the self-pity that may easily accompany introverts (or any other insecure minorities for that matter). When she's on-stage, she's still clearly an introvert but she knows how to work it. I like the talk, but I find that her attitude speaks louder than her words. It's almost a waste she had to put her wisdom into book form... but I guess I'll have to be understanding of that.
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03-11-2012, 11:33 PM	#12
krisl Member [07%] MBTI: INTJ Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 315	In college, I learned to go into something of an extrovert mode in class so that the teachers would know that I was paying attention and was interested in class. Didn't make me an extrovert. Probably helped my grades a little. I know that it does seem like a lot of introverts kind of regret being introverts. I don't think I do exactly. In some ways, it's a source of strength to not need people so much.
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03-12-2012, 12:45 AM	#15
True Rune Core Member [200%] MBTI: INTJ Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 8,017	The talk goes over concepts she writes about in the first few chapters in her book. Other than a couple anecdotes and interactions with the crowd, everything is there in the book. I haven't read more of the book yet, so I'm excited to see what else she has in store.
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03-14-2012, 09:10 PM	#17
WindUp Member [22%] MBTI: INfJ Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 903	I related so much and really appreciated the video. Especially the bit about stigmas and introverted leaders.
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03-15-2012, 11:39 AM	#18
sabotai New Member [01%] MBTI: INTx Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 53	I listened to an interview with the author a few months ago on NPR and I'll be able to access this link now that I have 2 posts.
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03-16-2012, 04:16 AM	#19
Bluesea Veteran Member [56%] MBTI: INTJ Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 2,246	I think it's great she put this viewpoint out there, as introverts are probably the last to do it, regardless of understanding the value of time out; they probably think it is just a weird thing about them personally. Nice that someone is highlighting that there are a lot of people that are collectively in this space, and that they have value in the public arena due to being this way, and can name some examples of that value, as she is right. It is often seen as a form of antisocial behaviour. Thanks for posting it To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
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03-27-2012, 08:18 AM	#20
lassie Member [02%] MBTI: INTJ Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 105	The BBC have caught onto the benefits of introverts now To view links or images in this forum your post count must be 2 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.
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