Introverts prefer to work independently, and solitude can be a catalyst to innovation. Susan Cain More Quotes by Susan Cain More Quotes From Susan Cain The secret to life is to put yourself in the right lighting. Susan Cain lighting secret life-is I worry that there are people who are put in positions of authority because they're good talkers, but they don't have good ideas. It's so easy to confuse schmoozing ability with talent. Someone seems like a good presenter, easy to get along with, and those traits are rewarded. Well, why is that? They're valuable traits, but we put too much of a premium on presenting and not enough on substance and critical thinking. Susan Cain worry ideas thinking Everyone shines, given the right lighting. Susan Cain introvert given shining It's as if they have thinner boundaries separating them from other people's emotions and from the tragedies and cruelties of the world. Susan Cain tragedy people world Solitude is one of our great superpowers... Solitude is the key to being able to make effective decisions and then having the courage of convictions to stand behind those decisions. Susan Cain solitude keys decision Our culture is biased against quiet and reserved people, but introverts are responsible for some of humanity's greatest achievements. Susan Cain achievement humanity people We know from myths and fairy tales that there are many different kinds of powers in this world. One child is given a light saber, another a wizard's education. The trick is not to amass all the different kinds of power, but to use well the kind you've been granted. Susan Cain different light children Studies have shown that performance gets worse as group size increases ... If you have talented and motivated people, they should be encouraged to work alone when creativity or efficiency is the highest priority. Susan Cain priorities creativity people Introverts are capable of acting like extroverts for the sake of work they consider important, people they love, or anything they value highly. Susan Cain important love people College students who tend to study alone learn more over time than those who work in groups. Susan Cain groups students college .. it makes sense that introverts are uniquely good at leading intiative-takers. Because of their inclination to listen to others and lack of interest in dominating social situations, introverts are more likely to hear and implement suggestions. Having benefited from the talents of their followers, they are then likely to motivate them to be even more proactive. Introverted leaders create a virtious circle of proactivity. Susan Cain suggestions circles leader Introverts need to trust their gut and share their ideas as powerfully as they can. Susan Cain introvert ideas needs Extroversion is an enormously appealing personality style, but we've turned it into an oppressive standard to which most of us feel we must conform. Susan Cain extroverts style personality Open-plan offices have been found to reduce productivity and impair memory. They’re associated with high staff turnover. They make people sick, hostile, unmotivated, and insecure. Susan Cain insecure memories people We put too much of a premium on presenting and not enough on substance and critical thinking. Susan Cain too-much substance thinking ...remember the dangers of the New Groupthink. If it's creativity you're after, ask your employees to solve problems alone before sharing their ideas. If you want the wisdom of the crowd, gather it electronically, or in writing, and make sure people can't see each other's ideas until everyone has had a chance to contribute. Susan Cain creativity writing ideas Even when the attention focused on me is positive, I am uncomfortable being looked at by a lot of people - it's just not my natural state of being. Susan Cain natural attention people Opposites attract, and I think temperament is so fundamental that you end up craving someone of the opposite temperament to complete you. Susan Cain fundamentals opposites thinking Introverts .. may have strong social skills and enjoy parties and business meetings, but after a while wish they were home in their pajamas. Susan Cain party strong home What looks like multitasking is really switching back and forth between multiple tasks, which reduces productivity and increases mistakes by up to 50 percent. Susan Cain tasks mistake looks