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Hi! My name is Erin, and I am a grade 12 PLP student. We recently finished a project on self improvement books. Everyone in the class selected and read a book, we then presented our learning with a live panel discussion at the spring exhibition. I chose to read the book “Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking” written by Susan Cain. This blog post is a reflection of my learning within this project!
Quiet
I chose to read “Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking” because as an introvert I was very curious. Before reading the book, I thought it would talk about how to be more extroverted, or how to be more confident and less quiet, however, the book actually empowers introverts. “Quiet” is a compelling and insightful exploration of the often overlooked strengths and contributions of introverts in a society that tends to favour extroversion. It dives into the science of personality, providing a view of the psychological foundations of introversion and extroversion. The book is a celebration of introversion but also a call to appreciate and harness the unique perspectives and skills that introverts bring to the table.
Biography
As part of the project, we wrote a biography about Susan Cain. Susan Cain is a former corporate lawyer and negotiations consultant, as well as an introvert herself. Her experience navigating the extroverted world inspired her to write “Quiet” and advocate for introverted qualities. Here is a link to biography I wrote about Susan Cain.
The Extrovert Ideal
In the book, Susan Cain discusses how Western culture, particularly in the United States, promotes the “Extrovert Ideal” which is the concept that being sociable, outgoing, and charismatic, is the key to success. Susan Cain challenges this ideal, highlighting the strengths of introverts.
Introverted Strengths
The book emphasizes that introverts often possess qualities such as creativity, critical thinking, and the ability to focus deeply. Introverts also tend to think before they act, analyzing and processing the situation before reacting to it. These traits can lead to significant contributions in various fields, from science and art, to business and education. Susan Cain also explores how introverts can thrive in an extroverted world by finding a balance between solitude and social interaction. She provides practical advice on how introverts can manage their energy and set boundaries.
The Panel Discussion
Our panel discussion was the highlight of the project. We held a live discussion at the spring exhibition, the panel consisted of five students, each of us having read a different book. The discussion was 30 minutes long, roughly 25 minutes of the panel talking, with about 5 minutes for questions from the audience at the end. I was nervous before the live performance as 30 minutes to discuss seemed like a long time, however it actually went by very fast. We had done a few rehearsals with our group previous to the day of the exhibition to prepare questions for each others books, connections, and key points. At the exhibition the discussion flowed very smoothly, while still bringing up topics, questions, and connections, we had discussed previously, we had a very natural conversation and new topics flowed in. I was on the Communication and Psychological Insight panel group with Indy, Quinn, Randy, Jakub, and moderator Ryder.
What can we learn from authors about achieving personal and professional success?
From “Quiet” I learned that personal and professional success can be achieved by embracing our individual strengths. The importance and power of learning what environments and settings help me reach my full potential, and how to use my strengths effectively.
Ultimately, success comes from self acceptance and effectively utilizing one’s own powers.
Reading “Quiet” by Susan Cain, and participating in the panel discussion at the spring exhibition, was a very impactful project and has provided me an understanding of introversion and self improvement. As we move forward, the insights gained from this project will continue to shape my personal and academic life.
This blog has been my personal learning portfolio, and a place for me to reflect on my growth throughout these past five years at high school.
Thank you for reading.
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