The Introvert Advantage

How to Thrive in an Extrovert World

By: Marti Olsen Laney PsyD

Narrated by: Tamara Marston

Some people - a sizeable minority - prefer to avoid the limelight, tend to listen more than they speak, feel alone in large groups, and require lots of private time to restore their energy. Often they feel different, not right, less than. But as Marti Olsen Laney proves, that is far from the truth.

The Introvert Advantage dispels common myths about introverts - they’re not necessarily shy, aloof, or antisocial - and explains how they are hardwired from birth to focus inward, so outside stimulation such as chitchat, phone calls, parties, or office meetings can easily become "too much". Most importantly, it thoroughly refutes many introverts’ belief that something is wrong with them. Instead, it helps them recognize their inner strengths - their analytical skills, ability to think outside the box, and strong powers of concentration. It provides tools to improve relationships with partners, kids, colleagues, and friends, while offering dozens of tips, including eight ways to showcase their abilities at work and strategies for socializing. In short, The Introvert Advantage shows introverts how to take advantage of their special qualities not only to survive in an extrovert-oriented world, but to thrive.

©2002 Marti Olsen Laney (P)2013 HighBridge Company

Read the book Quiet instead

If you were to read one book on the subject of introversion, I would highly recommend Quiet. The book was superlative. The Introvert Advantage communicates many of the same tenets as Quiet just not as completely or entertainingly.

Love this book

Having a psych degree myself I was very familiar with Jung, introverts and extroverts so usually I don't really get anything new out of these books. And being an introvert myself I was really surprised at this book. I hadn't realized the impact on energy. Or rather when she gave more examples of day to day that put it in different perspective. Usually the discussion is more abstract rather than practical daily application.

it really brought home to me my current chronic fatigue. I have an extremely extroverted son and husband. My husband was never a problem because he was independent. Her description of her Vegas trip with her extrovert husband was EXACTLY like mine. I slept while he won money at the casino.
I never really thought about the energy factor though and how it's draining to keep up with an extrovert. My son was highly active even in the womb. And if I didn't wear him out he would not sleep. He and his dad can get about 5 hours of sleep and be bright eyed and bushy tailed. My other son and I need at least 7-8 hours and more alone and quiet time. I was pondering what was wrong with me as we were ending this 7 day a week summer as I allowed my son to be on the swim team, which is 6 days a week, plus work as a life guard, plus volunteer at the zoo. I made him give up his Martial Arts class and drama club until after swim season. But we still ended up with a 7 day a week schedule, with multiple activities some days for the last 5 months. I literally felt like I was going crazy, being tortured and slowly killed all at the same time. If I'd had some time to reflect and recharge I would have realized sooner that I'd never before tried to keep up with an extrovert. My son is only 15 so I have been the mom taxi and have to socialize and be out and about far more than I would have ever dreamed and he is in seventh heaven. He does not feel over scheduled. This is the first time I've let him do so many activities at once. I was sure he'd be overwhelmed by now. Now I realize why he is always so ready to go and he cannot sleep at night if he doesn't swim, work out at the gym or do several hours of his martial arts class. He is the reason he and his brother started swimming on at team at age 5. It was the only sport that had practice 5 days a week and twice in the summer. But, without it he would not sleep.
overall, it was very insightful.

A Public Service for All

I truly believe this book should be required reading for both introverts and extroverts. More than that, I wish it could be downloaded directly in the minds of many people for maximum effectiveness. Many signals and assumptions that introverts take for granted in an extroverted world are spelled out, analyzed, and made accessible for immediate understanding and integration. For extroverts, the assumptions of the world they've made are challenged, and a new perspectives are offered. The result is genius cleverly disguised as good old common sense. The playing field has been leveled quite effectively, and now the introvert has a fighting chance to proceed in everyday situations according to natural inclination without being subjected to the challenges of misunderstanding, ridicule, or low self-esteem. This book is a bridge. All that remains is for it to be utilized.

Nice Insight on Introverts and Extroverts

What made the experience of listening to The Introvert Advantage the most enjoyable?

The book puts words to thoughts surrounding the polar opposites of Introvert and Extrovert personalities I've often thought about. The book is written in a familiar tone, making it easy to follow along and the narrator does a nice job carrying that ease of format into her performance.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Introvert Advantage?

The book has some nice thought provoking moments where you can actually visualize people you know fitting one or more of the examples given to illustrate specific topics.

What does Tamara Marston bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

Tamara has a good voice for books like this - since this is the first book on this topic I have purchased her narration made it easy to follow along.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

No, but again it did provoke thought, which is what I had expected it would.

Any additional comments?

Good book about a topic often misunderstood.

some good info,a little preschy

this book had some fascinating facts about introverts. I in was particularly fascinated by the brain functions. I was a little disappointed that the focus seemed to be so much on how impossible it seemed for poor introverts to survive in a world of extroverts. probably since the author is a therapist. there are some of us introverts who never needed therapy, something hinted at from time to time. helpful strategies would be good for an off the wall right brain introverts I guess, especially if the were sliding into the autism spectrum

At last!

At last an insightful consideration of why I have felt so out of sync with the rest of the people around me. Great suggestions on how to work on fitting in with people.

Incredible information!

This book has changed so much about how I do my life. I discovered I am a very evolved introvert! Spent most of my life figuring out how to cope in the extrovert world. Now I can have compassion and more patients with myself as a result of this book. Thank you Marti Laney!!

Some Useful Insights

I found some useful information that will be helpful in my interactions with introverted and extroverted personalities. The book seems written especially for people far towards the introverted end of the personality spectrum and I feel I fall more towards the middle so there were parts that I struggled to relate to, though that may make them more important when all is done.

Useful Information, Dry Writing

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

I only got through about 2/3 of this book. It has some really useful information and also some sections that don't yet pertain to me (section on introverted children etc.) I think the reason I didn't finish it was because the writing was very dry and I found myself checking out a lot.

Were the concepts of this book easy to follow, or were they too technical?

The section on introvert brain chemistry was tough to follow. That's an area where a visual aid would help (tricky with an audiobook, i know). The rest was pretty straightforward.

How could the performance have been better?

I felt like the narrator was trying to compensate for the writing by selling it a little too hard. She sounded silly sometimes.

Did The Introvert Advantage inspire you to do anything?

I've been embracing my introversion more and respecting my needs more.

Insightful!!!

This was a great book! As an introvert I always wondered why words may escape in social settings or why I may respond in certain ways. This book helps introverts to understand these are all very normal and common behaviors with being an introvert.

For the few critics that may feel the book does not focus on the advantages of introverts or pushes towards behaving like an extrovert, the book provided examples of the areas introverts shine in. Mainly the book helps introverts understand the traits of being an introvert, and that they are normal, to embrace it, the world needs it, and more than anything they are not alone.