BOOK REVIEW - Self Promotion for Introverts

  

Self-Promotion for Introverts

By Nancy Ancowitz

McGraw Hill; 

Pages 270; 

Price $ 18.95

Introverts! Cheer up!!

You Can Rise to the Clinton/Buffet Level if………...

 

The author deserves kudos for showing real courage in attempting to codify two deep mysteries: the human mind and self-promotion in organisations. The mind has been described as unfathomable, mysterious and devious. A teacher used to quiz students at the beginning of a psychology course: "what is deeper than the Pacific, taller than the Himalayas and faster than an electric flash?” When students would give up, he would smile and say, "Simple! The human mind."  Drawing on her own rich experience and tapping the wisdom of more than 50 learned, eminent people from politics, literature, education, performing arts and many other fields she has indeed come out with a valued publication.

 

The book is a guide to millions of nervous, and some even depressed, introverted people. The book might also clear the dece[tive impression, rather a prevalent complex, that extroverts are superior to introverts.  She has removed that fallacy by admitting at the outset that "this book is written by an introvert for introverts". The author has also clarified that the "book is a quiet guide to getting ahead". She has thus avoided the controversy that it would have created if the objective were to convert introverts to extroverts. There are about 17,000 personality descriptions. Myers Brigg (MBIT) chose the 'big five’, to make them reasonably easier to identify.

 

The book is not for casual browsing or a cursory reading. It is a workbook with over 50 tests and exercises to be done. Each demands careful attention. Just take the last two (1) what have you learned and (2) What actions would you take for improvements

 

The book is divided into eight chapters and the title of each indicates the learning and/or actions to be taken. The chapters are listed here:

 

•     Your negative self -talk

•     Your strengths

•     Your game plan

•     Your target audience your network

•     Your chalk talk

•     Your job search

•     Your opposite

 

The second page of the first chapter has a chart listing 15 attributes in two columns for (1) introvert and (2) extrovert. You can ascertain your position on the spectrum. Incidentally, there is a spectrum of attitudes and not a clear dividing line. Similarly, there is a chart in the eighth chapter titled “extroverts’/ introverts’ lexicon” to help ascertain one's position on the spectrum.

 

While arriving at your position on the spectrum it is worth remembering that almost 80% of the CEOs lean towards the introvert side from the centre.

 

The author has enriched the value of the book by citing practical examples of people with rich experiences. The author was at an event where Bill Clinton was present. Being a journalist, she managed to approach Clinton and told him briefly about writing the book under review here.  She said, "Since you are the ultimate extrovert, I would love to give any advice you may have to my introverted readers."Clinton responded, "I am actually a bit of an introvert." Then, he added, "the advice I 'd give is just throwing yourself out there, like mud against the wall. Get out there and make it happen. Just keep at it."

 

The author also found herself at a conference where Warren Buffett was present. In a conversation, Buffett told her, "I was absolutely terrified of public speaking in high school and college.” He joined Dale Carnegie, left it and joined again, gaining confidence. "The ability to communicate both in writing and orally is very important,” says Buffett.

 

"Promote yourself without bragging," that's the message of the author.