Pop Psychology Dis-empowered Introverts So Thanks Susan Cain

Introverts are so misunderstood, that even the definition of what an introvert is has been distorted socially. When I hear someone call another an introvert, I always check for understanding as to what they mean, as more than likely they simply want to say someone is shy. Being shy does not imply you are an introvert. I can see it when I tell people that I am an introvert as they disagree, given they perceive me as outgoing. That tells me they are defining introvert as shy.

I was interviewing a candidate who told me he was a Geek and not a Nerd, and I immediately asked him what the difference was, as I was curious given my experience of introvert versus extrovert. In his words, which I liked, the difference was that a Geek likes technology AND has social skills. That ties in nicely to what Susan Cain talks to in terms of introverts as she specifically says that introverts should not be confused with people who are shy. Being an Introvert is about how you respond to stimulation, including social stimulation, while being shy is having a fear of social judgement.

This is a great 20 minutes to spend listening to Susan Cain give her perspective on The Power Of Introverts. Watching this and listening to how she sees it, I am inclined to believe that the true content generators on various Social Media Networks that have valuable shares, are highly likely to be introverts. I don't know it for a fact, I am just measuring based on who's content I value and guzzle up the most. Social Media would be more powerful, if introverts would occasionally share more of what they thought, rather than assuming this is a space for the larger than life personalities who have tons of followers. We have seen what larger than life CEO personalities have done with big business, and we have seen how the humble leaders, who had greatness thrust upon them have changed the world!