I am an introvert. I keep to myself. I'm constantly thinking, constantly studying, constantly curious; questioning; skeptical. For most of my life, I've thought of my introvertedness as a weakness. This is largely due to the society I've been raised in. In American culture, we praise the outspoken and charismatic, and shun the quiet and shy. But it doesn't need to be this way.
The concept of the personality has grown over the past century. Agriculture and small business has transformed into the powerhouse businesses of today. The days of small town communities where everyone knew your name has been replaced by a competitive society of strangers, all striving to be noticed and appreciated. In this new world, it's not enough to be intelligent; you must be a good speaker and communicator to be successful. In fact, in many cases the extrovert is accepted not by the strength of their ideas but rather by their charisma and strong voice. Our society is overlooking the valuable input of the quiet.
Studies have shown introverts rank higher in intelligence. This isn't to say that extroverts are unintelligent, but introverts have a great advantage; inner thought and reflection. Removing oneself from the influences of external distractions can be very good for cultivating creativity and building ideas. This is a technique that has been removed from schools and replaced with more group-focused environments. This is also seen in the workplace; an outgoing attitude is more desirable and a shy attitude is demeaned. This is damaging to introverts and will often push them further into their shells.
But here's what the introvert must realize; you have more power and influence than you know. You have value and input that needs to be heard. This doesn't mean you need to be a great public speaker, but I want to encourage you to share what you're passionate about. Your ideas have been slow cooking in the crockpot of your mind, not nuked quickly in a microwave. There's a rich, savory quality to ideas such as these; an inspiration brought forth through hours of reflection and careful consideration, weighing each component carefully, searching all possibilities.
Many, both young and old, have been inspired by the creativity and imagination of Dr. Seuss. You may be surprised to learn he was an introvert. He feared his readers because he was convinced they'd be disappointed when they learned he wasn't as exuberant as his Seussian creations. Although this internal fear existed, it didn't stop him from sharing his creativity. Don't let your creativity hide in the shadows; your contribution could be more valuable than you know.
Based on a Ted Talk by Susan Cain: The power of introverts http://youtu.be/c0KYU2j0TM4
