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Thursday, April 4, 2013

Introverts: The silent ones in a loud world...



This one is quite different from my usual blog posts, as it wasn't written specifically for the blog, but as a to-be-marked assignment, to-be-sent-for-publication anywhere. So. it's more of an article the likes of which you might find in a journal. Still, what good is it doing sitting hidden and looking lame in an almost empty folder in my laptop? Read on and tell me what you think! :)

Tihana has always been an exceptional individual. Ever since she was a tiny kid, she’s turned out to be how everyone didn’t want her to be, or at least, whatever she did wasn’t really desirable. You see, she actually lived up to her name, ‘the quiet one’. She’s an introvert and unfortunately, it’s always been something she’s been admonished for. Though wrong, it happens, all the time, everywhere. Parents prefer a child who’ll be actively engaging with other kids, staging performances easily, being the gregarious one in their peer groups instead of the one who avoids social circles for solitude. Maybe this isn’t how it had always been, as we’re on the verge of a huge change in perception, thanks to numerous and sudden developments.

Extroverts’ rule
As author Susan Cain points out in her book, ‘Quiet: The power of Introverts in a World that can’t stop talking’, “In the last century, society began reshaping itself as an extrovert’s paradise”. The last few decades, especially, have created an ‘extrovert’s ideal’ as opinions are changing, businesses are expanding and ‘outspoken’ leaders are needed. In any social setting, be it a school, a playground, an office, extroverts are seen preferably over those who’re the silent ones. The teacher wants someone with a loud enough voice to be the play’s lead character, bosses want brisk and quick people who’d perform a task without thinking twice, who’d make effective presentations in national meetings, who’d always have a quickie fix and a ready answer for everything. What’s there to lose, right?

Well, let’s see what most of us fail to notice. One, that introversion is as much of a trait as extroversion. These two terms originating from Carl Jung’s theory of personality, aren’t really opposite to each other, but different traits altogether (as said by Jennifer O. Grimes, in her 2010 thesis, Introversion and Autism: A conceptual Exploration of the Placement of Introversion on the Autism Spectrum). As introversion falls more on the ‘soft’ scale, it goes mostly unnoticed, becomes just an echo among the loud shouts of the extroverts. With no one to hear them, the extreme introverts draw more into themselves, with a feeling of being left-out. There, thanks to lack of patience, graciousness to accept people as they are, choosing an outspoken person just to get the task done, a person loses his confidence. Not bad enough?

Am I obsessed with leapfrogging fish? :|
Two, with all this extrovert preference, introverted kids are constantly pestered to ‘open up’. They’re put into extra-curricular classes after school in the hope that they’d start speaking more often. All of this makes the child think there’s something wrong with him, that he isn’t good enough, that his cousin who’s always winning in debates is far better than him, that his hobbies- drawing and painting, reading and writing, wouldn’t be appreciated enough. As he grows older, he realizes ‘talking up to the boss’ is what is needed to get what he wishes for, that he needs to get ‘better’ if he wants to succeed. After all, that’s how it is always seen. Susan Cain says, “A widely held, but rarely articulated, belief in our society is that the ideal self is bold, alpha, gregarious. Introversion is viewed somewhere between disappointment and pathology.”

Introvert power
What isn’t really spoken out loud is how introverts are actually a source of so much power. It may not be visible on the surface, but that’s the point. You have to peer carefully and notice the small fragments that make up the whole, you have to see the details to see what introverts are actually capable of doing. In a general sense, they’re great artists, writers and thinkers. In a business environment, it’s actually important to not lose focus of introverts as they tend to be better decision makers as well. They think in depth about any situation and wouldn’t make decisions in a hurry, so you can be assured that it’ll have less risk.

As for leadership, Susan Cain says that introverts are better at leading proactive employees because ‘they listen to and let them run with their ideas’ and that for a good work environment, there should a balance between introverts and extroverts.

The world has millions of introverts and it’d be a shame to not accept them as they are and continually asking them to be someone they’re not. We should be absolutely okay with the idea of our child, or spouse to not prefer going to parties, wanting some lone time for their creative pursuits and just live at peace as they want. If we’re trying to change them, it’s just unfounded and immoral prejudice. About time we pause, take a break and stay silent long enough to notice those who’re living like that, silently, at the edges.


17 comments:

  1. For introverts their silence is their sword..and yes they prove to be better decision makers and situation tacklers as they have good hold upon their emotions and tempers. They are sometimes left behind but in a good way to think,create and renovate in their own reverie.

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    1. That's all true Namrata. I just have this irritable feeling when introverts are looked down on. I've seen kids trying to do things just because of their parents, or society. It's pathetic. Why not just be best of whatever you are?

      I'm glad you share the feeling! Everyone is good enough in their own sense, to me. :)

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  2. There is a terrible paucity of people who would actually understand what introvert-ism is and of those who would not just go ahead and think of being introvert as being ill today. Only then, we could move towards a society which respects introverts and not pity them.

    As what I understood from one of Susan Cain's address on stage, introverts are better at more things(than extroverts) than otherwise. They just need their space and time. :)

    P.S: It 'is' a really nice article. :)

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    1. Thank you Usama! :)

      I suppose yes, what you say is true. I still wouldn't "favour" anyone. Each has their own usefulness and uniqueness! :)

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  3. Well, very apt article, liked it.

    though in a economic environment where growth rate can shoot to even 50% ( or in three digits for that matter), where every bosy is rushing to meet targets. Who has time to look at what they are loosing???

    Indian or China cant become US or EU in ten or twenty years. ( even in terms of economy ) and GDP data are delusional.

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    1. We're not talking about India or China or US or GDP here. True, it's important, but I don't think it should be at the cost of making people feel miserable.

      This post just highlights my view of how introverts are treated, what actually they are capable of doing and how we better maintain a balance. As it is, we're ruled by stupid deadlines and machines. The least we can do is have some sort of equality in perception among ourselves. :)

      Thanks so much for your comment! I'm glad you liked it. :)

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  4. Great article. I remember that my mother once asked me why I couldn't be more like ______ (an active extrovert, although I didn't know that at that time). What I heard was that I wasn't OK the way I was. She was disappointed in me. She might as well have asked me why I couldn't be taller. So I spent my whole life trying to "be taller." Of course, that only brought stress and some bad life decisions. I now am giving myself permission to embrace my introversion and love it. And also to find ways to protect my sensitive nature. I finally like myself and am happy.

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    1. Heyy.... It's good to know you're happy now! That's it, no? We should be loved for who we are, and not what we "should" be. That's crazy. The earlier parents understand that, the better it will be for everyone. I was branded "shy" too, on all occasions I didn't feel like being in a public show. That's one reason I have always sort of been unhappy with schooling (and that's not just the school. I've been to three!). Perception needs to change :)

      It's still better now, though, than before. I hope people realize how a majority of people might be feeling low on self esteem because of someone else's bossy demeanor.

      Stay happy! Now that you understand, if you are happy, people will like you! (I hope it's true!). Thanks for your comment. It feels good to know people can connect. :)

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    2. It has taken me a long time get to this point. I am almost 68 yrs old. Never too late :)

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    3. Oh wow. Yep, it's never too late! :D *Salute* :D

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  5. loved it....every word written is so apt...we should be loved and respected as we are...nothing wrong in being introvert...everyone has some special talent...only they need to recognize it and should use it as an instrument for further growth....hey i can see a promising writer who will be famous one day.:)and i will say....autograph please:):):)

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    1. Ooohh!! I louvee your sweet words Ritu ma'am!! :D Thank you so much! I'm sure with your blessings, it'll come true someday. Love to you! <3

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  6. Wise use of words. Very very rightly and profoundly written! This is one of my favourite posts because it gives me so much to relate to and remember. Although there are some points where I think I have a different take. But your super flow of thought and writing makes me feel awesome after reading this. It's like a therapy! Cheers Ashna and keep writing! :)

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    1. Thank you Rachit :)
      I'd like to know your different ideas as well! ^_^

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  7. This is one excellent article Ashna!

    Agree that bold is in, but what's the harm in making a little space for the introverts? And may be then no one will call them (us) that anymore! :)
    Love the lines where u put that introverts are far better at analysis and don't take decisions in a hurry.

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    1. Why just a little space? :) It has to be equal. We're no less! ;)

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  8. This article really touched me as I am an introvert too ;);) u made quite valid points over there and btw this is my first comment on your blog and trust me ur blog is very nice:D:D

    Www.doomedwriters.blogspot.com

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I would like to hear what you have to say.. :)

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