For introverts, and all kindred spirits who prefer quiet to loud, depth to superficiality, and sensitivity to cool.
The Kindred Letters: You don’t need to be a “leader"
Dear Reader,
You don’t need to be a “leader". At least, not in the way people usually use that word.
As the author, Victoria Erickson, writes: “Some of us don’t want to be tough alpha leaders. Some of us just want to write and wander the garden and breathe in the sky and nourish and nurture and quietly create new pathways and live our lives as our art. To know the earth as poetry.”
Last week, a reader named Jo Saia asked me a question, versions of which I hear ALL THE TIME:
Here’s what I asked Jo – and what I would ask you, when you find yourself in a similar situation:
a) Do you actually WANT to be on the board/an officer, and fear/lack of confidence is holding you back? Or b) Do you actually NOT want to be on the board/an officer, but you just feel that this is what you’re supposed to do? |
a) If you were an officer, would you wake up on the morning of the board meetings looking forward to them? Or b) dreading them? |
a) If you suddenly received a terminal diagnosis - one, two, five years left to live - would you think "I should've been an officer"? Or b) "Of course, I'm not going to spend the precious time I have left, that way." |
If you answered (b) to these questions, then maybe you have your answer.
But! Sometimes we need to do things that make us uncomfortable - for the sake of people, work, causes we care about. I do this quite often, for the sake of my writing work (though I always make sure to schedule in plenty of time to recharge and relax, after I’m done).
You would never have read my books, or received these letters from me, if I hadn't done a gazillion uncomfortable things in the service of my great loves: writing, reading, thinking, and connecting.
So the question is: is this one of those times?
(I also say “no” to a gazillion other opportunities, because they don’t fit into my own personal version of a good life.)
And finally: We should all expand our definitions of what a leader actually is. Which is to say that Jo can choose to positively influence this art organization, and the world in general, whether or not she decides to become an officer on the board.
How about you, Reader? Do you enjoy leadership roles, in the conventional – or unconventional -- use of the word “leader”? Do you feel pressure to be a leader of one kind or another? Do you wish simply to live your life in peace – “to know the world as poetry,” as Victoria Erickson put it?
I would love to hear your answers to these questions. (I read every single one of your e-mails, and do my best to reply to some of them.)
You may also want to check out my books and courses (info below), all of which deal deeply with these questions.
Love,
Susan
P.S. Do you know someone who loves quiet, depth, and beauty? If so, please forward this Kindred newsletter! It's meant for them!
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Want more like this? You might love my books and courses.
Quiet at Work Course
I'm excited to share my SMS course designed to empower you at work (at home or in the office): as an employee, as a colleague, and as a leader. Every morning for 30 days, through a combination of exercises, strategies, and audio teachings from me, all of which I’ll send directly to your phone, you’ll get the tools you need to communicate, to network, and to lead as an introvert – without having to pretend to be someone else. Instead, you’ll learn to tap the unique and powerful gifts you already have. Would you like to join me? If so, you can sign up below (and choose your own start date)!
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“The best business / management / leadership book of the century.” Read the book that started the Quiet movement, spent eight years on the New York Times bestseller list, and has been translated into over 40 languages. At least one-third of the people we know are introverts. They are the ones who prefer listening to speaking; who innovate and create but dislike self-promotion; who favor working on their own over working in teams. It is to introverts—Rosa Parks, Chopin, Dr. Seuss, Steve Wozniak—that we owe many of the great contributions to society. |
Do you react intensely to music, art or nature? Do you love sad songs? Do you draw comfort or inspiration from a rainy day? If this sounds like you, you might like to check out my book, BITTERSWEET: How Sorrow and Longing Make Us Whole, which was an instant #1 New York Times bestseller! The book explores the power of a bittersweet outlook on life, and why we’ve been so blind to its value. |
Bittersweet Course
For those who've signed up for my interactive SMS course (audio and written texts from me, delivered straight to your phone--see below for more info!) I hope you're loving it so far! Here's what some of you have had to say:
"I treasured the experience...it was life-giving...I looked forward to Susan's offering every day. The course helped me anchor into the beauty and goodness all around me."
"Susan's course transformed my mindset to one of total acceptance of the world as it is: a beautiful combination of dark and light."
The course is the perfect companion to the Bittersweet book, which was named a Best Book of 2022 by Amazon and Audible!
The course is designed to help you turn pain into creativity or healing, and to incorporate more joy and beauty into your daily life. The best part? It’s delivered straight to your phone, via text message or WhatsApp. You’ll get audio and written texts from me: my voice in your ear, my words on your screen, every morning for thirty days. Join me for 30 days of exploration, through audio lessons, guided meditations, reflections on art and music: all curated and designed to help you unlock the transformative power of bittersweetness.
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The Kindred Letters: Join 525K Subscribers
by #1 NY Times bestselling author Susan Cain
For introverts, and all kindred spirits who prefer quiet to loud, depth to superficiality, and sensitivity to cool.
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