It’s hard to believe that it's already been 5 years since Susan Cain stood up for introverts around the world and shared the quiet strength of this cerebral personality at a TED talk called “The Power Of Introverts”. I will never forget the first time I watched it. I was hanging on to her every word and holding my breath because this woman was verbalizing everything that I had carefully observed and internalized about the world, our culture, and myself throughout my life. The talk did not impact me in the way of sudden self discovery (I’ve always known and embraced it), but rather more of a confirmation and validation of what I’ve experienced from the world’s expectations and perception vs. my reality and reasoning. Furthermore, the message couldn't have been more clear: A one size model (the extrovert ideal) does not fit all. Individuals learn differently, process information differently, react and respond differently, and perform at their best when they feel optimal or find a method that best suits their speed. So indeed, why are we assuming that everyone should fit into a culture of personality rather than culture of character, if character is from a natural state and personality is developed? Are we saying that a person's ability to develop "personality" automatically makes them more eligible to succeed in life? Instead of stating a hard preference of one over the other, it should be somewhat balanced between the two. Both are equally important to society, each other, and to performance levels, and both are influential in their own unique ways.

My line of work has exposed me to two different sides of the spectrum (creative project collaborations that requires group activities and administrative responsibilities that requires leadership and management) with one most definitely favouring and exercising the extrovert ideal in it's workplace. I have been able to see the warrant in both personality traits when each are operating at their peak level of performance and when they are not. Introverts that are expected to perform like high speed internet, in which they are required to constantly engage in group activities in an environment that does not support privacy are being over stimulated from surrounding variables (noise level, frequent interruption, frequent inconsistencies, chaos, etc...). This can ultimately have a negative impact on a individual's physical and mental well being. We already know that stress is the new plague of our era and since one third to half of the people in the world are introverts, perhaps this is saying something about how we manage people, expectations, and operations in our workplace. Speaking from personal experience, I agree that companies, institutions, workplaces should take into consideration that each person does not perform the same way in the same type of environment that has been assumed to increase productivity. This is counterproductive for those that crave autonomy and do need more solitude and limited stimulation in order to function properly. In the words of Susan Cain, "stop the madness with constant group work, rethink open office design to include private nooks and crannies, take time to unplug and recharge, and find the courage to speak softly... Because when it comes to creativity and leadership, we need introverts doing what they do best."

The ability to be comfortably quiet can speak inaudible volumes.

Finally got around to reading this book. Definitely added it to my top of list of good reads. Introverts, extroverts, leaders, managers, teachers, and parents should pick this up. It just may explain and or open you eyes to something you've nev… — Finally got around to reading this book. Definitely added it to my top of list of good reads. Introverts, extroverts, leaders, managers, teachers, and parents should pick this up. It just may explain and or open you eyes to something you've never given much thought about.