At least one-third of the people we know are introverts . They are the ones who prefer listening to speaking ; who innovate and create but dislike self-promotion who favor working on their own over working in teams . It is to introverts — Rosa Parks , Chopin , Dr . Seuss , Steve Wozniak — that we owe many of the great contributions to society .
In Quiet , Susan Cain argues that we dramatically undervalue introverts and shows how much we lose in doing so . She charts the rise of the Extrovert Ideal throughout the 20th century and explores how deeply it has come to permeate our culture . She also introduces us to successful introverts — from a witty , highoctane public speaker who recharges in solitude after his talks , to a record-breaking salesman who quietly taps into the power of questions . Passionately argued , superbly researched , and filled with indelible stories
of real people , Quiet has the power to permanently change how we see introverts and , equally important , how they see themselves .
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Keep A Video Diary Or Video Blog . 7Know
I always enjoy my friend Gretchen Rubin ’ s video posts on her Happiness Project blog . You should also look at Susan Steele of The Confident Introvert doing her first video blog , which is inspired by my Year of Speaking Dangerously project !
Your Strengths And Weaknesses As A Speaker And Accentuate The Positive .
If you have a great sense of humor , use it . If you ’ re not a natural cut-up , don ’ t try to be . Instead , focus on what you do best . Do you have a great story to tell ? An interesting idea your audience hasn ’ t considered ? Information they need to hear ? Frame your speech around your message — and around who you are as a person . Thoughtful and thought-provoking is every bit as powerful as dynamic and entertaining .
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At The Same Time , Public Speaking Is A Performance , And That ’ s A Good Thing , Even If You ’ re Not A Natural Actor .
Have you ever wondered why people enjoy costume parties ? It ’ s because they feel liberated when interacting from behind a mask , from within a role . Dressing up as Cinderella or Don Draper removes inhibitions as effectively as a glass of wine . Think of your onstage persona the same way .
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