Susan Cain: Keynote Speaker for PTK Catalyst 2018


by Paul Prageeth

When I was going through PTK website to learn more about PTK International convention and the 100th year anniversary celebration, I came across five wonderful individuals who I will be listening to during my time at PTK Catalyst 2018. There was a familiar face with a familiar name. But I couldn’t recall who it is at that moment. Just like a true millennial, I opened the Google and type the name; Susan Cain.  As soon as I saw the web result under the Susan Cain, it all came back to me. It was none other than one of my favorite TED Talk speakers.

Susan Cain is a writer, lecturer, former lawyer, and negotiation consultant. Most importantly, she is a self-describe introvert. In 1893, Cain graduated from Princeton University with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English and earned Juris Doctor Degree from Harvard Law School in 1993. She started her career as an attorney and then move onto negotiation consultant as owner and principal of The Negotiation Company. Also, she has been a fellow and faculty member of the Woodhull Institute for Ethical Leadership, an educational nonprofit organization. Susan Cain left her careers in cooperate law and consulting for more quiet life of writing. Her bestseller, Quiet Power: The Secret Strength of Introverts and Quite: The Power of Introverts in A World That Can’t Stop Talking which been translated to over 40 languages holding the place in New York Times Bestseller list for almost three years. Her “Power of Introverts” TED Talk which attracts people’s attention to the introversion, has been viewed over 17 million times around the globe, making this 2012 TED Talk stand out as one of most viewed TED Talk videos of all time. Cain also spoke at Google, Microsoft, the U.S. Treasury, the S.E.C., Harvard, Yale, West Point and the U.S. Navy Academy. Currently, Susan Cain traveling around the world educating the importance of introversion as a co-founder and Chief revolutionary of the Quiet Revolution.* 

In a society where social and outgoing personalities are highly valued, it is hard to be an introvert. As a person whose personality gravitates toward the introvert, I know the difficulty of shaping an identity to fulfill the society’s expectations. She is the first person that I have seen publicly encourage people to embrace their introvert personality and it is one of the reasons why I excited to see Susan Cain at the Catalyst 2018. The thought of being in the same room with Susan Cain who inspires people to have their own revelations give me goosebumps.

2018 is very special to every Phi Theta Kappan because this year we are celebrating 100th year anniversary of Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society and I’m sure that Susan Cain’s inspiring words will add an extra special to everyone’s experience at catalyst 2018.

* Sources:
“Susan Cain.” Quite Revolution, www.quietrev.com/author/susan-cain. Accessed 14 February 2018.
 “The Power of Introverts.” TED, www.ted.com/talks. Accessed 14 February 2018.

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