Lynette Crane

I am a Minneapolis-based acclaimed national speaker, author, and executive coach with more than 30 years of experience in speaking and training.

As a classical ballet dancer, and later a college psychology instructor, I was puzzled to notice that success and acclaim don't necessarily go to the most talented or the most skilled, but to the people who are the most visible to others. Although I was "visible" in terms of what I did, I didn't realize at the time that I failed to make those warm connections with others that are necessary for healthy success in life.

In 1983, I had a transformative event when I recognized I was afraid to leave a toxic relationship because I feared I would never be able to get another relationship, much less a better one. Setting out to study the puzzle of human relationships and how they are created, I developed a college class, "The Psychology of Shyness and Self-Esteem" in which I was one or two steps ahead of the students.

From this class came my book, The Confident Introvert, in which I dispel myths about introversion. For example, all introverts are not shy and all shy people are not introverts. There are shy extroverts, too! '

I provide skills to help people overcome what I call "introvert baggage"; those fears that hold them back from being the valued, warmly appreciated beings they long to be - without becoming somebody they don't like.

In addition to my book, I provide talks and seminars - both live and online - on topics such as "Social Confidence Skills" and "Reading Other People's Behavior for Confidence and Connection."

I take my talks and seminars to the workplace, too, because I believe that America is overlooking and even discouraging its intellectual treasure: the 51% of the population who are introverts, and who are highly representative of the gifted.

In my seminars, In addition to helping quiet people to thrive in a culture that idealizes extroversion, I give leaders the tools to manage diverse groups in the same setting, and to develop the talent that lies quietly under their noses.

Visit my website athttp://www.creativelifechanges.com/ to see more in-depth articles and to view my programs.