Quiet

It seems the introvert, much like the geek, has garnered favour over the years. Even the the word itself is less a pejorative than it once was. Of course I'm on the internet, posting on a website focused on books ...maybe I'm experiencing a slight group bias.

Beyond these bookish walls it's clear we celebrate the Cult of Personality. TV hammers the idea home with outsized personalities armed with witty rejoinders while the news seems to adhere to the adage “he with the loudest voice wins”.

In the office we foster brainstorming, team rooms and open concept work environments.

At school we wring our hands if little Johnny prefers to be by himself while teachers preach “participation” with grouped desks and team work.

We're doing it wrong. When a good third to half of the world is made of introverts maybe it's time we go back to the honouring character instead of charisma, working in solitude, and appreciating quiet introspection. This isn't about being shy - being an introvert is all about how you respond to stimulation - especially social stimulation. Introverts can hold a room, speak to the masses, make their points heard - they just need to carve out some space to recuperate all that spent social capital.

So what's not to like about a book championing the thoughtful, bookish and unassuming with an entire chapter devoted to Asian deference? Susan Cain is one of us and you can't help but find yourself on the page.