I first heard about the book "Quiet: The Power Of Introverts In a World That Can't Stop Talking" by Susan Cain via Twitter. Apparently a lot of the people I admire are introverts too. I say 'too' because I am an introvert. It was apparent when I was a kid; I was in trouble a lot because I read 'too much' and didn't spend 'enough' time with friends.
Reading Quiet was extremely validating for me and not just because of my childhood experience. The book is research based and addresses many of the popularly held notions that have never rung true for me. For example, I've often thought that our society has a mistaken idea that leaders need to be charismatic extroverts and sure enough, the book addresses that myth (The Myth of Charismatic Leadership). In fact introverts are uniquely good at leading in some situations, just as extroverts are good at leading in others. The book also addresses "When Collaboration Kills Creativity" and validates my dislike of open offices (they reduce productivity) and affirms that brainstorming in groups doesn't work. It addresses the potential pitfalls that can derail the extroverted leader.
Those examples are important but they aren't why I think this book should be required reading particularly for managers, parents, coaches, and teachers. It should be required reading because I don't care who you are and what you do in life - you are surrounded by both extroverts and introverts. In North America we live in a Culture of Personality and seem to have decided that introverts are less valuable. In the workplace, the school system, and in our personal relationships we try to make introverts into extroverts. Introverts have been given the impression that they are 'wrong' and need to change. Read the book and you will see that you can't do that, and that both have value.
I also finally have an explanation for something that has always puzzled me. I am a true introvert but I ran my own company for six years (networking needed to get business to survive) and one of my roles during that time was in the music industry as a manager (extroversion mandatory). I also love to public speak. Explanation provided! All of those things were part of pseudo-extroversion which allowed me to act out of character in the service of 'core personal projects'. Introverts can act like extroverts for the sake of work we consider important, people we love, or things we value highly. I liked the freedom of self-employment not to mention it fit with my short attention span, so I could do what I needed to do to pursue what I loved. But the thing I didn't do (and this is the most valuable advice in the book for introverts like me) was ensure that I looked after my true self. I was acting out of character for too long and I didn't schedule enough 'restorative niches'.
Introverts are everywhere. They are (or will be) your kids, your spouse, your friends, your co-workers, or your teammates. The advice in this book in Part Four "How to Love, How to Work" may make a huge difference in your life whether you are an introvert or extrovert. For me, learning about pseudo-extroversion and restorative niches has helped me understand what I need to do next time I am making the choice to be an extrovert. And when I see people in the limelight who are obviously introverts - in professional sports, the arts, business or politics - I want to take them aside and share with them how to survive being out of character!
The above and more is what I got out of the book; hopefully you find something that helps you. It is really easy to read and is available as hardcover, audio book and ebook from all major booksellers.