‘The secret to life is to put yourself in the right lighting. For some, it’s a Broadway spotlight; for others, a lamplit desk. Use your natural powers – of persistence, concentration, and insight – to do work you love and work that matters. Solve problems, make art, think deeply. […] Everyone shines, given the right lighting.’ Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can’t Stop Talking by Susan Cain
Many people have become familiar with the work of Susan Cain, writer, lecturer, and author, through her 2012 TED talk The Power of Introverts. She has championed the power of introversion in our extrovert-optimised world. Cain says that while shyness may be something to overcome, introversion can be something to celebrate, adding that introspection tends to come with ‘superpowers’, such as listening ability, empathy, deeper study, and longer focus. Cain reminds us that while our globally connected 24/7 world urges us to develop collaboration skills there is also a need to teach students how to work alone. She reminds us that we could all unplug and get inside our own heads a little more often.
The reach of our extrovert-optimised world extends far beyond the sphere of learning. Cain highlights the qualities of the quiet leader, someone who often ascends into leadership positions out of a commitment to what they’re doing. They become leaders almost in spite of themselves. Their empathy, deep thinking and listening skills are greatly appreciated by their followers. As Susan Cain says, ‘We have two ears and one mouth and we should use them proportionally.’
A great deal of Cain’s work focuses on understanding and supporting introverts. It also reminds me of the importance of supporting the quiet achiever; individuals who do not actively seek recognition or celebration but quietly work away on important issues, causes or tasks that really matter to them. Their behaviour itself is its own reward.
There is a wide held belief that if you want people to perform better you reward them. In his TED talk The Puzzle of Motivation, Dan Pink outlines how such incentives, extrinsic motivations, will not necessarily support the creative thinking and problem solving required in today’s business world. In fact, scientists who've been studying motivation support the promotion of intrinsic motivation; the desire to do things because they matter, because we like it, they're interesting, or part of something important. Pink suggests an operating system for our businesses that revolves around three elements: autonomy, mastery and purpose. Autonomy: the urge to direct our own lives. Mastery: the desire to get better at something that matters. Purpose: the yearning to do what we do in the service of something larger than ourselves. Again, this is relevant beyond the business world, as it applies to learning, leadership and engagement in our global community.
Personal achievement is a long and complicated story for many of us. A winding journey where we learn from each episode; overcome challenges and disappointment, learn from failures and acknowledge the small wins. Personal success is different for each of us. At Ruyton Girls’ School it is our girls’ endeavour along with their morals, compassion and actions that we will always admire. As women of character and integrity only they have the power to define themselves and their success. What they do with their learning will always be their strength.
As a school we are acutely aware that we can never fully communicate all of the rich and personal stories of grit, determination, courage and success behind every girl’s journey.
Many of our girls are quiet achievers. They do not seek reward or recognition as they strive to be their best, find joy in their learning, and make a difference. They are on a journey of personal best.
Today, we celebrate the quiet achiever.
Ms Linda Douglas
Principal
Ruyton Girls’ School
August 2019