Susan Cain’s TED Talk last week on the Power of Introverts is amazing. I’ve been reading her book, as I blogged about yesterday, and I’m glad the folks at TED got her talk from last week posted so soon! Susan is a former corporate lawyer and negotiations consultant — and a self-described introvert. At least one-third of the people we know are introverts, notes Cain in her new book Quiet.
If you lead people and happen to be an introvert, this will resonate for you.
If you lead people and happen to be an extrovert, this is important stuff! As Susan says,
When it comes to creativity and innovation we need introverts doing what introverts do best.
Solitude matters. We’ve known for centuries about the transcendent power of solitude. We’ve only recently begun as a culture to forget it.
There is zero correlation between being the best talker and having the best ideas.
We need to be able to create our own ideas free from the distortion of group dynamics.
Her 3 calls to action at the end of her talk:
- Stop the madness for constant group work! Just stop it!
- Be like Budha, have your own revelations…unplug and get inside your own head more often.
- Take a good look at what’s inside your own suitcase and why you put it there. Occasionally, open it for others to see because the world needs you and the things you carry.
Here you go:
and here is her book:
My buddy Steve Gladis wrote this really great review of Susan’s book, Quiet, which you can access and download here:
BOOK REVIEW: Quiet by Susan Cain