Quiet Power: The Secret Strength of Introverts

Cain reflects on times she has been asked why she’s so quiet, adding that she doesn’t always have an answer available. Her reasons for being quiet vary—sometimes she’s thinking or observing; sometimes she focuses on listening instead of speaking. She remembers how her “outgoing” peers were celebrated while quiet kids, like herself, were encouraged to “speak up.” As a child, Cain pushed herself to behave in a more outgoing way even though it made her uncomfortable to do so. At the same time, she built a “network” of close relationships that were “built on mutual trust, enjoyment of each other’s company, and love” (1). Cain also received praise for her independent thinking and listening skills.

Cain’s experience proved to her that quietness is a “great power,” that she and others can harness to succeed. She compiled her findings in Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Can’t Stop Talking, written for an adult audience and began giving TED Talks on introversion. This led her to cofound Quiet Revolution, a company created to “empower introverts.” Although she has become an outspoken public figure, Cain still considers herself a shy

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