453 Quotes by Susan Cain

A few things introverts are not: The word introvert is not a synonym for hermit or misanthrope. Introverts can be these things, but most are perfectly friendly.

Scores of studies have shown that venting doesn’t soothe anger; it fuels it.

It turned out that the introverts who were especially good at acting like extroverts tended to score high for a trait that psychologists call “self-monitoring.” Self-monitors are highly skilled at modifying their behavior to the social demands of a situation. They look for cues to tell them how to act. When in Rome, they do as the Romans do, according to the psychologist Mark Snyder, author of Public Appearances, Private Realities, and creator of the Self-Monitoring Scale.

Emily lowers her voice and flattens her affect during fights with Greg, she thinks she’s being respectful by taking the trouble not to let her negative emotions show. But Greg thinks she’s checking.

It’s also vital to recognize that many people – especially introverts like Steve Wozniak – need extra quiet and privacy in order to do their best work.

The word introvert is not a synonym for hermit or misanthrope.

Most inventors and engineers I’ve met are like me – they’re shy and they live in their heads. They’re almost like artists. In fact, the very best of them are artists. And artists work best alone where they can control an invention’s design without a lot of other people designing it for marketing or some other committee. I don’t believe anything really revolutionary has been invented by committee.

Our culture is biased against quiet and reserved people, but introverts are responsible for some of humanity’s greatest achievements.

It can be hard for extroverts to understand how badly introverts need to recharge at the end of a busy day.