Susan Cain

Eleanor Roosevelt, Rosa Parks, Gandhi – all these people described themselves as quiet and soft-spoken and even shy. And they all took the spotlight, even though every bone in their bodies was telling them not to.

Susan Cain

Enjoyment appears at the boundary between boredom and anxiety, when the challenges are just balanced with the person’s capacity to act.

Susan Cain

Extroversion is an enormously appealing personality style, but we’ve turned it into an oppressive standard to which most of us feel we must conform.

Susan Cain

I draw energy from discussing ideas.

Susan Cain

I get a lot of letters from introverts asking how they can meet people. The key is to make sure that you are doing things you enjoy.

Susan Cain

I learned to not worry so much about the outcome, but to concentrate on the step I was on and to try to do it as perfectly as I could when I was doing it.

Susan Cain

I prefer listening to talking, reading to socializing, and cozy chats to group settings.

Susan Cain

I realize it’s not true that I’m no longer shy; I’ve just learned to talk myself down from the ledge.

Susan Cain

I think the shyness one feels in childhood is often overcome with time. There are children who hide behind their parents’ legs, but you don’t see grown-ups hiding behind people. It just doesn’t happen. I mean, not that often. People develop social skills over time.

Susan Cain

I’m continually amazed by how many people who appear to be extroverts are actually introverts.

Susan Cain