Recently, my friend had shared with me a part of a
video by Susan Cain on TED, and that really got the wheels in motion. I was
engrossed in all that she said because it all related to me all too well.
Needless to say, the next step I took was to go search up the entire video
myself. I was captivated by the truth in her stories and the theories and I wanted to share some of the information I gained from just that one talk.
However, if you guys are interested to find out more yourselves then you can even purchase
her new book "Quiet" online here!
(http://www.thepowerofintroverts.com)
Basically, the main idea that Susan Cain talks about is the fact that
introverts are often passed over for extroverts even though introverts might be
better skilled to handle the situations or problems at hand. This occurrence is
seen everywhere - in school, workplaces or a majority of establishments that
were built with mainly extroverts in mind. For example, schools in particular
make it a point to constantly expose students to multitudes of group projects
or "bonding" activities, and kids who just want to go off to
contemplate matters themselves are thought to be anti-social or, in some
extreme scenarios, problem cases.
This
is honestly a ridiculous assumption for anybody to make. Introverts are just
people who work best in quiet contemplation. They are people who prefer to just
have a nice, mild dinner with friends as compared to a “wild” and thrilling
night out at a local pub with a bunch of rowdy strangers. Introverts aren’t
shy, and they definitely aren’t anti-social! Shy people are people who are
afraid of social scrutiny, maybe because of an inferiority complex or some
similar issue. Introverts make up 1/3 or more of the population and are born
without the need to constantly shine and be obnoxiously loud and hyper the
whole day. Being more levelheaded and calm, introverts rarely feel the need to
speak out unless their integrity or self-worth is in danger. This trait alone
makes authority pass over introverts to appoint extrovert’s leadership roles or
duties, even though an introvert is more than capable of handling the job.
Simply put, introverts tend to be more meticulous, responsible and dependable.
Soft-spoken
doesn’t mean stupid. Introverts make up the bulk of creative and decisive
dreamers who are more than crucial n moving the economy forward. They are also
willing to step up to the plate and are able to share the spotlight with somebody
else readily. An extrovert, on the other hand, might elude success simply
through a sheer amount of unfocused enthusiasm and personal recognition.
Quite
honestly, how much more effective is work produced by a group as compared to
that of one capable person? Yes, maybe a greater quantity of work can be
produced. But how about when a decision needs to be made? When there are
differing opinions, or just one bad grape in the bowl? Wouldn’t it be simpler
and more efficient for all to have one single capable person calling the shots
and allowing the others to carry out the process?
It’s
not a hollow fact that many if the greatest leaders in history have been
introverts – an example being Gandhi who had personally described himself as
quiet and soft-spoken. Yet, such leaders were more than able to play the game
when the need made itself known and were able to make their mark in history.
However, this might be translated in a wrong way. Many introverts, like Susan
Cain herself, have supressed their natural personalities and felt the need to
prove themselves by going against their own natures and trying to conform to
become the more unjustified but popular alternative accepted by society – an extrovert.
This, I believe, is wrong. The world needs dreamers, they need creative minds that can work
alone and produce work that can’t be rivaled by just anyone.
Nobody
should ever feel pressured to be something they are not. Below is an image that
encompasses my thoughts effectively. I’m not afraid or ashamed to admit that I am
an introvert – one out of every three people or even more people you meet is
probably just like me. While the world will always need some extroverts,
introverts will always have a place in this world and can become great doing
what they do best – working alone without a need to conform to social pressure.
I’m
not saying that being an extrovert is wrong or even inferior – frankly, nobody
is a pure introvert or a pure extrovert. Everybody is somewhere in the middle
of that scale. Although you may be an extrovert, look at your friends, your
kids or even your spouse. What things wouldn’t be possible without the
existence of introverts?
Here’s
a request for you, dear reader – the next time somebody else puts down an
introvert, you stand up to them and maybe explain to them the difference
between being an introvert and being anti-social. This world needs to change its
perception of many things, and the process can only be started with each and
every one of you.
And
finally, to my fellow introverts – never be afraid to be who you are! Don’t ever
conform because there would always be multitudes of others who will love you
for who you are.
Please don't hesitate to send in any of your own thoughts or feedback to Ordinarysgkid@hotmail.com or to follow me on twitter at @NatKathXo Comments on the article itself is welcomed too! Please share the article if you happen to find it interesting! :)
Credit: Google for Images. First: blanejr.blogspot.com Second: ewagele.wordpress.com Third: monkeymagic.net
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