Why a blog for Introverts?

Turns out that introversion is more than needing time to ourselves to recharge. Introversion/extroversion is a temperament we are born with. It determines how we process information, how we respond to stimulation, and explains seemingly quirky things like why we lose energy the minute we walk into a Costco, why we hang back in gregarious group conversations, or why we stare off in space when asked a reflective question. Introversion touches all parts of our lives from our work life to love life.

To better understand a coaching client I picked up the book Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World that Won’t Stop Talking and quite unexpectedly revolutionized my own life.  I realized much of my behavior could be understood through the lens of introversion and it was like a missing piece of the puzzle suddenly came together.  Instead of viewing certain behaviors as problematic (like preferring to work alone versus in groups) I now see them as part of my introverted style.  There is no right and wrong.  Good or bad.  It just is.

What I learned over the last year of reading virtually everything on the topic, seeing the world in new ways, and approaching coaching clients with the introverted lens – is that introversion touches all parts of our lives from our work life to love life (yes the repetition is on purpose). This blog is a forum for understanding introversion and thus ourselves more deeply.  And this blog is also about https://experience.tripster.ru/experience/Suzdal/sights/ stepping into our strengths and power as introverts.  We are not going to urge each other to become more extroverted as was the tendency in previous decades (reminiscent of urging left handed folks to become right handed, women to act more like men, etc).  Instead we are empowered to claim who we are with dignity. And from that place – create the life we want!  That is the Intelligent Introvert.

Jeanine Cogan, The original Intelligent Introvert

As a certified Leadership Coach, I have coached a wide array of professionals including CEO’s, small business owners, government and non-profit employees, musicians, artists, Executive Directors, and teachers for more than a decade. Recently, I started using the lens of the Intelligent Introvert to work with clients and am blown away by how life changing this lens is.  For introverts to understand what all it means to be an introvert (which most of us don’t) and then to embrace and pitch to this style (rather than try and change who we are) is stepping outside the cultural narrative, and as one client recently described “is so liberating.”  I created the Intelligent Introvert blog and Facebook group by the same name to bring more attention to this  introvert uprising; inspired by strength, stillness and solitude.

If you want to learn more about my professional accolades keep reading.  Otherwise enjoy the posts!

Jeanine is CEO of Cogan Coaching.  She received her training with Newfield Network, a certified executive coaching program and is recognized as an Associate Certified Coach by the International Coaching Federation.  Jeanine is also trained as a social psychologist, earning a doctorate degree from the University of Vermont in 1993. She coached business students at the McDonough School of Business at Georgetown University and is part of the faculty of the Center for Continuing and Professional Education at Georgetown University.

Jeanine was recognized by the Washington Post as one of twenty successful professionals in Washington, D.C. and asked to be a regular contributor to an online series on success.  She offered her expertise and advice On Success for the entire year of the series.

Jeanine brings years of experience as a facilitator, trainer and public speaker to her coaching practice. She has spoken nationally and internationally at more than 100 professional conferences, community talks, seminars and workshops receiving excellent reviews for motivating her audience to take positive action in their lives.

Dr. Cogan’s extensive background along with her warm and authentic style is a winning combination for a range of professional arenas. The diverse organizations and companies that have requested her expertise demonstrate her skill at tailoring a message and/or service to fit the audience.

Over her career she has received numerous awards. In1998 she received a highly competitive policy award form the American Psychological Association as the Baily Science Congressional Fellow where she worked for a Member of Congress. In 1999 Dr. Cogan was nominated for the Raymond Fowler Outstanding Mentoring Award for her commitment to mentoring students and young professionals. In 2000 she earned the status of Fellow from a division of APA for her outstanding contributions to psychology and public policy. In 2004 she earned the Wings of Hope Award for her ability to inspire others to use their voices to make a difference in the world. In 2005 she was the National Honoree for the HEED Foundation for her visionary leadership in the area of eating disorders and federal policy.