29 Quotes by Laurie A. Helgoe

As an introvert, you can be your own best friend or your worst enemy. The good news is we generally like our own company, a quality that extroverts often envy. We find comfort in solitude and know how to soothe ourselves.

When an introvert is quiet, don’t assume he is depressed, snobbish or socially deficient.

For the introvert, conversation can be a very limited forum for self expression. When a song moves you, a writer gets you or a theory enlightens you, you and its creator are connecting in a realm beyond sight or speech.

Introverts are collectors of thoughts, and solitude is where the collection is curated and rearranged to make sense of the present and future.

Introverts keep their best stuff inside – that is, until it is ready. And this drives extroverts crazy! The explanation for the introvert’s behavior – and there must be an explanation for this behavior, say the extroverts – is that he or she is antisocial, out of touch, or simply a snob.

When an introvert cares about someone, she also wants contact, not so much to keep up with the events of the other person’s life, but to keep up with what’s inside: the evolution of ideas, values, thoughts, and feelings.

Introverts are more effective leaders of proactive employees. When you have a creative, energetic work force, an introvert is going to draw out that energy better.

Introvert conversations are like jazz. Each player gets to solo for a nice stretch before the other player comes in and does his solo.

An introvert may feel asocial when pressured to go to a party that doesn’t interest her. But for her, the event does not promise meaningful interaction. In fact, she knows that the party will leave her feeling more alone and alienated.