Power to the People!

Do you just love TED talks?  I really do.  For those of you who don't know what they are I have included a link below so you can catch the fever.  I recently saw a TED talk by Susan Cain author of Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking.  So much of what she said really resonated with me and made me aware of a social identity that I was aware of, but hadn't necessarily named before.  Usually I say that my primary social identity is "Woman." When I wake up in the morning my very first thought is "What am I going to do about this hair today and are my feet swollen?"  My secondary identity is "African American." After I fret about my hair and my ankles my next thought in the morning is "Well at least your skin still looks good.  Black don't crack baby!"  If you haven't guessed, I am just being silly, but really I do think of myself as a black woman and that is the lens through which I view most of the world.  But, when I stop and think about it, I really do have to add "Introvert" to that list.  In the Myers-Briggs sense of the word it explains so much about me.  I grew up in a family of uber achievers.  My brothers and sisters were very socially prominent in our community. They were the kids in school that everyone knew and teachers all loved.  Then there was me.  I was quiet and reclusive.  I dreaded recess in grade school, because playing with other kids was the last thing I ever wanted to do.  I just wanted to sit in the corner and read a book.  As an adult, that is still all I want to do.  Over time I have learned some extroverted behavior and I understand that I have to engage with the world in order to make a living.  But, at my core, I am an introvert.  I am at peace when I am alone.  I get my energy from sitting quiety by myself.  At the end of the work day, I can't find any more words.  I have used them all up.  I just want to be quiet.  My best work happens when I am alone.  My best, innovative ideas and strategies come in the quiet hours I spend by myself. 

This puts me at a distinct disadvantage in our society because we laud the Extrovert.  Everything is geared toward them.  We love them in meetings because they think out loud and make brain storming sessions really fun!  The extrovert is always willing to share their opinion and " walk you through" what they are thinking while they "spit-ball" ideas and "bounce things off" of us.  They put on a show...and we love to be entertained.  We love extroverts.  But here is the caution.  Having a lot of ideas and being willing to shoot them out of a cannon doesn't necssarily mean they are good ideas.  It doesn't mean that their voice, in a meeting, should be given more weight just because the loudest or most expressive.  It is possible the best idea never gets heard because the person sitting and reflecting quietly in the room was never heard from.  This is just something to think about as we strive for innovation and fresh thinking in our business.  The best idea might just be sitting in the room with us and we never knew it becasue we didn't bother to take a breath, pause, and listen.  Check out this video to learn more about the power of introverts.
 
http://www.ted.com/talks/susan_cain_the_power_of_introverts.html


Inclusion 365 mission #6
I will value the quiet reflective people in my organization and make sure that no one's talent or energy goes to waste.  I will include everyone in meetings and make sure every voice and point of view is heard. 

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