Loud Success through Quiet Measures by Grace

Loud Success through Quiet Measures by Grace - February 2015 Scholarship Essay

When my best friend notified me that I no longer held exclusive rights to being her best friend, I recalled Susan Cain’s book, “Quiet: the Power of Introverts in a World that Can’t Stop Talking.” In my first impulse to lash out at my childhood buddy’s disloyalty, I restrained myself by remembering Susan Cain’s analysis of the difference between introverts and extroverts. Through Cain’s informative exposition, I understood my extroverted friend’s perspective. She needs many close friends while I, as an introvert, only need one. Consequently, my knowledge of our differences helped me embrace the disparity of views in our friendship. So, instead of allowing my best friend’s words to destroy my security, I responded positively. The mutual understanding freed both of us to meet our separate needs while maintaining a strong friendship. Since “Quiet” enabled me to resolve a conflict in a relationship that was important to me, I believe other high schoolers will likewise benefit from reading the book. So, although students should avoid indicting others’ actions as exclusively due to extroversion or introversion, all high schoolers should read “Quiet” because the book will heighten mutual understanding of different needs, increase appreciation for different perspectives, and produce better teamwork between extroverted and introverted students.

According to Cain, half of America’s population consist of introverts. However, American culture rewards extroversion, so many introverts diminish their effectiveness and work efficiency by impersonating extroversion. As an introvert, I often feel pressure to be outgoing and dynamic, thereby giving me a false sense of success. But Cain convinced me to accept my introverted personality, thus maximizing my output and benefiting my team in more ways than if I had defied my natural studying and working styles. True, I sometimes exert extra effort to express my feelings when my team’s success depends on overcoming my habitual quietness. But I have confidence that, in the long run, I can be a better impact on the world if I accept my quiet side. Since accepting my introversion has benefited me, I believe other introverts would value from embracing their capacity for quiet resilience and need for a different studying style from extroverts. Introverts who read “Quiet” will not only recognize their natural propensities for certain characteristics but also discover invaluable tips for how to channel those characteristics into success.

Requiring all high schoolers to read “Quiet” is beneficial not only for introverts but also for extroverts. Students can build stronger teamwork by understanding how to allocate responsibilities based on not only talent but natural preferences. Cain clearly illustrates the different needs and subsequent attributes of extroverts and introverts. She expounds on how extroverts and introverts balance each other to become a strong and effective team, if good leaders designate roles fitting each student’s working preferences. Cain’s information will consequently help students understand the context for reasons why a classmate may choose to do certain things or in a certain way. For instance, understanding my extroverted best friend’s need for constant interaction with people helps me realize that, since I can’t be her perpetual companion, I should not demand that she abstain from spending substantial time with other people. If I truly value her as my best friend, I would want her to be happy and fulfill her natural appreciation of being around people. Likewise, through understanding the fundamental reasons behind why a person would act in a seemingly incomprehensibly strange way or want to perform tasks from a certain angle, students will learn when to be tolerant and how to work with others.

Consequently, by requiring all high school students to read “Quiet,” students will learn to appreciate different learning, working, and socializing styles. Students will understand the deeper reasons why others may think or act in ways that seem completely incomprehensible. Care should be taken, as each individual is unique and shouldn’t be stereotyped using Cain’s analysis. But students will nonetheless gain better appreciation for the different strengths, skills, and needs of others different from them in personality. Through reading “Quiet,” students will be equipped to better recognize how to work well with others. With such skills, students will graduate from high school with better teamwork skills, which are vital in the industry and throughout life. Therefore, by assigning all high school students to read “Quiet,” the next generation of young people will be prepared to impact the world with a stronger sense of unity and partnership across the diverse strengths of people and understand how to make life choices that allows them to maximize efficient use of their talents and resources.