Quiet The Power Of Susan Cain

The strength and power that come from extroverts is all the more compelling, however, many people forget of the silent capability of introverts. Now it is time for introverts to take a stand against popular beliefs and quietly demonstrate to the world their abilities that have been cast aside. Instead of risk-taking thinkers being the center of attention, people who put in a large amount of thought will silently rise to the occasion. Although extroversion is the ideal in the western world, introverts also have their advantages, such as innovative and meticulous ability, in the work environment, and are, therefore, just as adept as extroverts in their abilities to rise to higher positions in the work force. In the novel, Quiet: The Power of
Introverts in a World That Cannot Stop Talking by Susan Cain, the author explains the advantages of introverts against the extrovert ideal. To support her argument Cain uses “research... anecdotes and literary examples” that familiarizes the audience with evidence of her statements (“At last, someone”). With the use of research, she is able to convey to an advanced audience studies that showcase actual experiments which prove that introverts are the preferable workers. In several case studies she also shows that introverts are more hardworking and create more creative ideas than extroverts. Moreover, as she uses anecdotes, she connects with introverts on a more personal level that allowed the introverted audience of her novel to relate with her. Furthermore, since Cain is a “former corporate lawyer, and introvert passing as extrovert” she is empathetic to the problems in which introverts face daily in the western world (“At last, someone”). Having experienced the problems of the extrovert ideal herself, she is able to speak about the issue with great understanding and concern for other introverts. However, after realizing introverts should not have to conform to the western world’s model of a perfect person, Cain became an author and voice for introverts.
Susan Cain passionately argues for the better treatment of introverts in our world.
She explains that extroversion has become an “oppressive standard” the people must conform with (Cain 4). The extrovert ideal has taken over the western world and it has changed society into a world that has forgotten about introtroversion. Continuing with her belief that introverts deserve some well earned time in the spotlight, Cain provides introverts with information and propositions that will help them thrive in the world of out-spoken people. She expounds on the concept that introverts can do activities that involve public speaking, but “accept that [it is] difficult” and once it is achieved, they should reward themselves (Cain 265). She aims to inspire introverts to increase their self esteem. The start of her novel involves the development of the new extrovert belief. She explains the way the perspective was created in the western world during the twentieth century and its impact on American society’s culture of personality. Furthering her research, she explains that introversion is only partially inherited and that personalities are affected by environmental factors and free will. For instance Eleanor, a shy, reclusive lady at heart, “grew to love public life” as she stood by Franklin D. Roosevelt in his presidency ( Cain 138). Advancing her argument she explains that in other cultures, specifically the Eastern world, “even discouraged” talking, and has a positive reaction to
introverts (Cain 184). Lastly, she empowers introverts by explaining the ways for them to face the extroverted world without losing their unique talents. Cain uses the word “we” throughout her novel to address that everyone in America had integrated in their mind that extroverts are superior. The author hopes to change this American view as a whole to a more egalitarian society. She give promising research from professional case studies over the abilities of introverts compared to extroverts that adequately shows that introverts work far more proficiently. With case studies that show introverts’ abilities to create quality ideas these are scientific proof that displays the abilities of introversion. Comparatively, Cain exhibits that solitude is “a catalyst for innovation”, conveying that individual work surpasses group work (Cain 74). This underscores the fact that introversion allows for the creation of creative ideas. However, she does not address case studies that showcases the abilities of just extroverts. At the beginning of the novel, this causes her argument to be one sided, nonetheless, by the end of the novel she conveys the advantages of extroverts and how the two personality types can work together to perform better at assignments. Through the explanation of the advantages of both introversion and extroversion, she addresses the counterargument as well as provide a compromise for both personalities in any situation. Moreover, with the incorporation of actual introverts throughout history into the novel, citing Rosa Parks and Eleanor Roosevelt, the author exhibits the recessive group of people becoming successful without conforming. Through these influential leaders, she conveys the capabilities introverts have within themselves if they only used the most of their strengths. Lastly, she urges introverts to refrain from feeling inferior and requests America to learn from both personalities instead of just one. As stated, Cain fails to address studies that reveal extroverts having qualities that convey them as being superior in work environments.
In two studies from Duke University, “extroverts are highly adaptive” displaying extroverts being more compatible for conversations than introverts (“Extroverts get along”). This reveals sociable people being more advantageous in business deals that involve conversing in large amounts and contradicts Cain’s statement that introverts create a well matched atmosphere for conversation. Since the study done at Duke University is recent, it may seem more credible, but Cain’s statements were created with many different case studies that increases its reliability. Furthermore, another opposing view against Cain is from a persuasive piece that conveys extroverts as “more competent” and fighting against a person’s introverted nature is preferable than learning to embrace the advantages of their personality (Hutson). This contradicts Cain’s argument by persuading introverts to further allow the extrovert ideal to get the better of them instead of emphasizing their own advantages. Moreover, because this is a self-help article, this source is mostly not credible, but it does show the extrovert ideal being applicable to society. Withal, another study from the University of Virginia, proclaim that extroverts”enjoy arousing situations” with their choice of geography, (Swanson). This contradicts Cain’s argument as it conveys that the attention seeking
extroverts are far better suited for hyper work environments. She quotes scientific researchers that validates her statements, but it only continues to show that work environments should find ways to accommodate both personalities types as Cain has stated. Moreover, in an office image that show the work layout being made specifically for extroverts also contradicts Cain’s argument for a more equal work environment (Office of Hellmann Logistics). It displays an open space office as one of the best offices, however, as Cain proposes, offices should be created with equal space for extroverts to converse and introverts to have some lone time to create new and innovated ideas. Furthermore, because this source was taken in 2008, the credibility of the source has decreased, but it still conveys the extrovert ideal within the western world. It reveals that open space offices are constructed for many work environment that keeps workers in constant contact, which keep the introverts from working diligently.
Ultimately, both introverts and extroverts have their advantages, but through the extrovert ideal, introverts have lost their appeal to the western world. This creates major problems in society as many adept introverts are kept from advancing to higher positions and it hinders the balance between risk-takers and deep thinkers. As Cain states, both personalities can be of benefit to one another and introverts should not be forced to the side. There has been many case studies that show introverts being more creative and hardworking than extroverts as well as actual introverts who have changed society with their quiet leadership. The world should learn from the abilities of introversion that have been brushed under the table and criticized while changing the work environment to accommodate to the personalities of introverts. Instead of continuously asking for introverts to conform to the ways of the western world, it is time for the world to recognize the capabilities of the quiet workers and allow them to take their own stand.