Title: Success as an Introvert for Dummies
Author: Joan Pastor, PhD
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons Inc.
ISBN: 978-118-73837-5
Pages: 303, Paperback/Kindle
Genre: Non-fiction/Self Help/Business/Psychology
Reviewed by: Suzanne Gattis, Pacific Book Review
Book Review
Most people that meet me would automatically say that I am an extrovert. I spend most of my day up in front of people conducting seminars and meetings and I have a very outgoing personality. However, what many people don’t know is that, in many aspects, I am very much an introvert. At the end of the day, I need to go home to that quiet time to unwind from the day. With that being said, I was interested in reading Joan Pastor’s Success as an Introvert for Dummies to see if I truly fit the mold.What I learned is that there really isn’t a “mold” for introverts. Each person has their own unique personality and way of being, some just a little more so than others. Most people probably would like to be seen as an extrovert because of the way society often looks at an introvert, but this book goes to show that each type of person has their true strengths and abilities.
Pastor’s book is quite interesting in the fact that I felt like I was reading several books at once; part of the book talks about leadership skills and success in the workplace, while another section delves into interpersonal relationships and communications. I found myself considering why some of my co-workers and friends behave the way they do, and why I may or not be fond of that behavior. There is a wealth of knowledge for anyone, introverted or not, about how to deal with different personality types and draw out strengths in ourselves and others.
Part of my love of the For Dummies series is the “Technical Stuff.” I am a huge fan of facts and research. I like that the author draws upon this to help us come to conclusions and doesn’t bombard the reader with personal opinions. I also enjoyed the numerous personality tests; I am intrigued with finding out not only “who” I am, but the whys and reasons behind it. This book will make any reader be very introspective as they look at their behaviors and those of others. As I am a lover of key points, the use of lists also made working toward goals or identifying patterns very simple and understandable.
I found Success as an Introvert for Dummies to be a very interesting read that was both well thought out and well laid out. Pastor organized the information in a way that the reader doesn’t have to be a psychologist to understand. If you are looking for ways to succeed as an introvert, or just to succeed with an introvert, this is an easy and well-researched place to start. The book is filled with fascinating information on the physiology of introversion as well as many tips on making life easier and more fun. I would definitely recommend it for everyone so we can all understand and celebrate our differences.
