We donโt ask why God chose as his prophet a stutterer with a public speaking phobia. But we should. The book of Exodus is short on explication, but its stories suggest that introversion plays yin to the yang of extroversion; that the medium is not always the message; and that people followed Moses because his words were thoughtful, not because he spoke them well.
Susan CainWhoever you are, bear in mind that appearance is not reality. Some people act like extroverts, but the effort costs them energy, authenticity, and even physical health. Others seem aloof or self-contained, but their inner landscapes are rich and full of drama. So the next time you see a person with a composed face and a soft voice, remember that inside her mind she might be solving an equation, composing a sonnet, designing a hat. She might, that is, be deploying the powers of quiet.
Susan CainCollege students who tend to study alone learn more over time than those who work in groups.
Susan CainRemember that introverts react not only to new people, but also to new places and events. So donโt mistake a childโs caution in new situations for an inability to relate to others. Heโs recoiling from novelty or overstimulation, not from human contact. Introverts are just as likely as the next kid to seek othersโ company, though often in smaller doses
Susan Cain