Introverts Unite!

Introverts unite!
By ourselves and at home!

Don’t get me wrong, nothing is more exhilarating than standing up in front of an audience of thousands, talking passionately about the art of financial intelligence.

Or seeing magic happen in a team meeting, literally in front of my eyes, as people come together in spectacular harmony to create something out of nothing.

It’s beauty and poetry all at the same time.

But why do so many professionals identify as introverts when it is the very core of human nature to communicate and collaborate?

I ask because I was always the very embodiment of one.

And I always felt flawed because of it.

There I go again, hiding away in a corner office, a small room, a calm space, or as in the case of the last couple of weeks, lost in the quiet creeks of Cornwall.

I turned again recently to Susan Cain’s brilliant book, “Quiet”, and reminded myself of the top 10 takeaways that I had once scribbled in my introvert’s notebook:

1. Introversion is a strength, not a flaw
2. Society often overvalues extroversion
3. Solitude is crucial for creativity
4. Depth matters more than volume
5. Listening is a superpower
6. Know and protect your energy
7. Embrace your unique strengths
8. Introverts can be excellent leaders
9. Find a quiet niche to thrive
10. It's ok to be yourself

I still fear that those who shout loudest progress furthest, and that so much silence is being held on to by introverts, afraid to let our quiet voices be heard.

But when we finally learn to stop mistaking silence for weakness, we will hear that the quiet voices have been holding the answers all along.

That’s the beauty of being human, the poetry of being human.