''Quiet Power: The Secret Strengths of Introverts'' is a 2016 non-fiction book written by

Susan Cain Susan Horowitz CainGrant Snider. ''Quiet Power'' is an adaptation for children and teens, and for their educators and parents, of Cain's 2012 adult-audience book '' Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking.''

Background

Susan Cain's 2012 book '' Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking'' reached ''The New York Times'' best seller list and ''

Time Time is the continuous progression of existence that occurs in an apparently irreversible process, irreversible succession from the past, through the present, and into the future. It is a component quantity of various measurements used to sequ ...

'' magazine's cover, and was the subject of one of the most-watched

TED Talks TED Conferences, LLC (Technology, Entertainment, Design) is an American-Canadian non-profit media organization that posts international talks online for free distribution under the slogan "Ideas Change Everything" (previously "Ideas Worth Sprea ...

. In 2015 Cain co-founded

Quiet Revolution The Quiet Revolution () was a period of socio-political and socio-cultural transformation in French Canada, particularly in Quebec, following the 1960 Quebec general election. This period was marked by the secularization of the government, the ...

, a company that produces content, including online training courses for parents, about and for

introverts Extraversion and introversion are a central trait dimension in human personality theory. The terms were introduced into psychology by Carl Jung, though both the popular understanding and current psychological usage are not the same as Jung's o ...

. ''Quiet Power'' constitutes Cain's focus on introverted children and teens, especially in the context of schools, so that the next generation of introverts doesn't grow up feeling there is something wrong with them or repress their personality trait. Cain's co-authors Erica Moroz and Gregory Mone are, respectively, a journalist and a writer of children's books; illustrator Grant Snider was discovered through his comics that were inspired by Cain's 2012 ''Quiet.''

Content

''Quiet Power'' discusses the distinction between

introversion Extraversion and introversion are a central trait dimension in human personality theory. The terms were introduced into psychology by Carl Jung, though both the popular understanding and current psychological usage are not the same as Jung's o ...

and

shyness Shyness (also called diffidence) is the feeling of apprehension, lack of comfort, or awkwardness especially when a person is around other people. This commonly occurs in new situations or with unfamiliar people; a shy person may simply opt ...

; deeper student engagement versus conventional expectations of class participation; speaking in front of groups; individual versus group work; introvert-friendly methods of structuring group work; and use of social media in education. The book focuses on shyness in addition to introversion, saying that shyness involves fear of social judgment. Cain says that while shyness may be something to overcome, introversion can be something to celebrate, adding that introspection tends to come with "superpowers" such as listening ability, empathy, deeper study, and longer focus. The book includes chapters on school, socializing, hobbies, and home, and incorporates firsthand accounts of introverted teens and of famous figures who have succeeded outside of their initial comfort zones. Cain included new research in ''Quiet Power'' that was not present in the adult-audience ''Quiet,'' and recast it especially for 10- to 14-year-olds who would be less able than high schoolers to translate the workplace-oriented ''Quiet'' into their own world. The book also includes appendices for teachers and parents. Saying that adolescence is the hardest period in an introvert's life, Cain suggests that young introverts talk with others about their desired socializing style (to avoid misunderstandings), find activities about which they can be passionate (to motivate stepping outside their comfort zones), focus on their strengths (to remain true to themselves), and be open to extroverted people (as having complementary abilities). Cain critiques schools' clustered desks, infatuation with group projects, and rewards for students who are quickest to speak. Cain instead favors recognition of deep focus and talent for listening with empathy and patience, noting that in the business world people don't read books together or write memos together. The

Quiet Revolution (company) Quiet Revolution LLC is a privately owned, mission-based, for-profit, American company formed with a stated mission "to unlock the power of introverts for the benefit of us all." The company has initiatives for business, government, office spac ...

created a Quiet Schools Network to partner with educators to design techniques to develop the talents of introverted students, such as by beginning public speaking programs with lower-anxiety assignments and incrementally increasing challenges as the student progresses. Cain encourages parents, first, to understand that introverts' nerve biologies react more strongly to stimulation, and that the reactions can be draining through no preference of their own. Also, Cain urges parents to help their children be "intelligent consumers" of social media with its constant personal evaluation, despite its enabling introverts to communicate "without being at the party."

Reception

''Quiet Power'' started at #4 on ''The New York Times'' bestseller list (children's middle grade hardcover category).

Background

Content

Reception

See also

References

Further reading