Introverts More Creative than Extraverts?

17th of January ~

We are all creative. We have different preferences for how we’d like to create.

So, it’s no surprise how much heat is being generated over an opinion piece by Susan Cain in the NY Times called The Rise of the New Groupthink.

“Groupthink“. Would we call that a positive label? The term was coined in 1972 by Irving Janis in his analysis of US military fiascoes–clearly, NOT a good thing. For years it’s been employed to describe the worst of group dynamics. Ms. Cain has recently written a book called Quiet: the Power of Introverts.

She makes some valuable points. Most brainstorming is heinous. Nobody likes pointless meetings with people posturing for the benefit of superiors. I recognize and crave the power of solitude in my creative process. But does she mean that I, a moderate Extravert, can’t ‘do quiet’? Or worse, that I’ll never be as creative?

Unfortunately, she plays it fast and loose with her research. For an elegant response to her inaccuracies I refer you to the excellent Keith Sawyer. He corrects her mistakes and provides a reasonable point-of-view.

I wish Ms. Cain had subtitled her book the Power of Introversion instead of dividing us into right and wrong sub-groups.

The creative process is just too complex to assign superior powers to a specific group. All of us, regardless of style, can make a contribution and we need to take responsibility for ensuring we occasionally have an environment that fosters our preferred process.

4 Responses to “Introverts More Creative than Extraverts?”

Rather than pitting introverts against extroverts my take on Cain's article was she was a proponent of quiet and private spaces both physical and metaphysically. She suggested that much creativity happens in an individual's brain when given moments of solitude and concentration. To me its a balancing act. As an extreme extrovert I get very energized by being with others during any problem solving / creative process. But I am also distracted by that same environment. Often I can refine my thoughts more ably during reflective moments alone. Quiet and reflection; it ain't just for introverts ;-)
by: Janet Tapper on: Wednesday 18th of January 2012
Absolutely--we can ALL benefit from quiet time and the opportunity to reflect AND we all can benefit from the ideas and input of others. It's about 'introverting' and 'extraverting' not being caught as a victim of your type, whatever it is.
by: Maggie Kolkena on: Wednesday 18th of January 2012
That means that there is still hope for me to step into the bright light of extraversion? Speaking as a known introvert, of course.
by: Jeff Seats on: Thursday 19th of January 2012
No, I think it means that I, Groupthinking Extravert that I am, have the possibility of being as creative as you are.
by: Maggie Kolkena on: Monday 30th of January 2012

Introverts More Creative than Extraverts? — Third Thought Third Thought