Quiet Power: The Secret Strengths of Introverted Kids is a book by the self-described introvert Susan Cain. This book addresses the unknown insights of the introverted world by using anecdotes of her and other introverts. It serves as a manual for those who are finding it challenging as an introverted individual. The author uses the stories not only to provide advice, but also to tell us the hidden strengths of introversion that are often misconceived.

Central Idea 1

One of the central ideas I identified at the story’s start is the value of introversion. This idea expands throughout the story, expressing introverted individuals’ unique talents. Many of the strengths the author included of introversion had to do with the five senses, such as being observant, being good listeners, and also being great thinkers. Pages 51-52 show this with the “introverted leaders” willing to accept input more than the “extroverted leaders,” therefore achieving a more positive outcome. Many great leaders mentioned in the story are also introverts, such as Bill Gates and Warren Buffet. Leaders of top-performing companies also possess introverted traits, being described as “modest,” “unassuming,” “soft-spoken,” and “quiet.”

As the right-hand side of the book became thinner and thinner, I decided to revisit parts of the book I marked as confusing and inspiring. As I re-read the “Manifesto For Introverts,” one line caught my eye. The author said, “A quiet temperament is a hidden superpower.” The “superpower” Cain wanted us to know was the sensitive senses introverts possess that make them more aware of their surroundings. An aspect of the book I noticed while looking back was the unconscious behavior of many teachers telling quiet students to speak up during class. Those students are skilled in listening and observing, yet most lack in public speaking due to their nature. Most of the students mentioned in the book are also clever kids in school, and most did not get a full score due to their shortness of speaking up.

Central Idea 2

Another central idea I found later in the story is how introverts and extroverts cannot live without each other. Though the two personalities are dramatically different, their distinct personalities make them need each other. One of the most iconic introvert-extrovert duos is Steve Jobs and Stephen Wozniak, the creators of Apple. With Wozniak’s extraordinary gift of engineering and Jobs’s public speaking skill, the duo created one of the biggest companies in the modern world. The exploration of this central idea reminded me of magnets since the opposite poles attract to each other, which is also the case for humans. Politician Marianne Kuzujanakis once said, “Young people are attracted to their opposites because they have qualities they admire but lack in themselves.”

Here’s some research driven by curiosity. There were two parts in the story that inspired me to do so. The first part is the Jobs and Wozniak part. I pondered the effects of introverted and extroverted individuals in the business world. It turns out they both need each other because of their different strengths and the positive impact the two combined would bring to a business. Another question I wondered was if we are born with introverted/extroverted traits. The sources showed that extroversion/introversion are mostly inherited, though the environment an individual grows up in also shapes part of it.

Overall, I enjoyed this book because of its insightful advice. If you want to dive deeper into the world of introverts, you can check out Susan Cain’s TED Talk and other books.