Quiet Revolution (company)
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Human resource management, Education, Consulting |
| Founded | 2015 |
| Founder | Susan Cain, Paul Scibetta |
| Headquarters | Harlem, New York City , United States |
Key people | Mike Erwin (CEO, Quiet Leadership Institute) |
Number of employees | 12 (2015) |
| Website | quietrev |
Quiet Revolution LLC is a mission-driven, privately held American enterprise established to harness the potential of introverts for collective benefit. Founded in 2015, the company spearheads projects spanning sectors such as business, government, workplace design, education, lifestyle, and parenting. Its foundation draws inspiration from the concepts presented in Susan Cain’s 2012 bestseller Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking.
Background
On January 24, 2012, Susan Cain released Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking, which subsequently became the subject of Time magazine’s cover story on February 6, 2012. Additionally, Cain’s TED talk on February 28 rapidly became one of the fastest to achieve one million views. By August 2015, the book had sold two million copies and secured a spot on The New York Times non-fiction Best Seller list. Cain delivered more than 100 presentations globally, commanding fees reaching five figures while also engaging in numerous pro bono appearances.
Originally planning to write a follow-up book on another subject, Cain revised her approach after receiving reader feedback and counsel from author Seth Godin. She chose instead to establish an official organization dedicated to empowering introverts. Since March 2012, Cain had informally championed “the Quiet Revolution” through her website prior to launching Quiet Revolution LLC with quietrev.com as its digital platform in 2015.
Structure, principals and facilities
In her second TED Talk in March 2014, Cain publicly introduced Quiet Revolution as a venture-backed, mission-oriented corporation. The company initially operated near Nyack, New York before relocating to a brownstone in Harlem. Functioning as a for-profit business, it secured US$4.5 million in early-stage funding. Cain co-founded the firm alongside Paul Scibetta, formerly a senior executive at J.P. Morgan Chase. The Quiet Leadership Institute was created as the company’s management training division, led by CEO Mike Erwin, who previously taught leadership and psychology at the U.S. Military Academy. Early advisory board members included Douglas Conant (ex-CEO of Campbell Soup), Adam Grant (Wharton School faculty), and Amy Cuddy (Harvard Business School).
The company’s workspace reflects unconventional choices, operating out of a Victorian residence overlooking the Hudson River, with a policy that meetings commence no earlier than 12:30 p.m. Quiet Revolution deliberately employs both introverted and extroverted individuals. By August 2015, its staff comprised twelve employees supported by over thirty freelance content contributors.
Mission and processes
Quiet Revolution’s core purpose is to "unlock the power of introverts for the benefit of us all," striving to create equilibrium between extroverted and introverted influences.
Its initiatives address diverse demographics including children and adults across personal and professional environments. Efforts include redesigning office layouts to improve concentration and privacy; delivering leadership development for introverts via the Quiet Leadership Institute; and supporting quiet children’s growth. The company offers an online educational program for parents, produces lifestyle content in collaboration with The Huffington Post, hosts a podcast, maintains a community platform featuring writers and advocates, and develops young-adult literature and media spotlighting introverted leaders. The Quiet Schools Network fosters inclusive educational environments that honor varied learning and leadership styles; participating schools adapt participation frameworks, utilize social media within curricula, renovate physical spaces, and apply methods such as "think/pair/share" alongside peer-led instruction.
Through the Quiet Leadership Institute, Quiet Revolution provides both face-to-face and virtual training aimed at helping executives leverage introverted employees’ capabilities, enhance communication between personality types, and conduct meetings that prevent louder voices from dominating discussions. Collaborating with office furniture manufacturer Steelcase, they developed Susan Cain Quiet Spaces—quiet zones designed to counteract open-plan office distractions. Initially serving major clients like GE, P&G, NASA, and LinkedIn, by early 2016 the company broadened its consulting services to include small enterprises and startups focused on introvert-friendly management practices.
The Quiet Ambassador program equips volunteers embedded within schools, corporations, and organizations to promote strategies such as reducing group projects, distributing meeting agendas beforehand, creating dedicated quiet areas, and encouraging communication across different temperament types.
Within educational settings, ambassadors customize teaching techniques and assessment criteria according to individual student temperaments rather than applying uniform standards—prioritizing meaningful engagement over traditional participation metrics. The initiative also introduces "think–pair–share," a pedagogical approach where students first discuss ideas with peers before sharing with the entire class.
See also
- Susan Cain
- Quiet: The Power of Introverts in a World That Can't Stop Talking
- Extraversion and introversion
- Open plan
- Human resource management
External links
- "Susan Cain: The power of introverts” (video) (initial TED Talk, February 2012) available on TED.com ● Identical video on YouTube ● Full transcript
- "Susan Cain's 2014 TED Talk | Introducing the Quiet Revolution" (transcript only)