Defy: The Power of No in a World that Demands Yes by Dr Sunita Sah

‘A must-read‘ – Dr. Robert Cialdini
‘Transformative’ – Daniel Pink
‘A culture-shifting manifesto’ – Jonah Berger

Why is it so hard to speak up, even when we know something’s wrong?

This is the definitive book on defiance, a clear-eyed dissection of the forces that silence us, featuring groundbreaking research and legendary stories alongside everyday examples and strategies for how to unleash the power of a “True No.”

Many of us comply much more than we realize. How many times have you wanted to object, disagree, or opt out of something but ended up swallowing your words, shaking your head, and just going along? Analyzing cases ranging from corporate corruption and sexual abuse to everyday acquiescence at work, the doctor’s office, and in our personal lives, award-winning organizational psychologist Dr. Sunita Sah delves deep into why the pressure to comply is a corrosive and often invisible force in our society.

With her own revelatory research, she radically transforms our idea of defiance from a misunderstood negative trait into a crucial, positive force for personal and societal change. Taking us through her five stages of defiance, Dr. Sah equips readers with simple tools to make decisions that align with their values. Defy is the essential playbook for how to speak up and act when it matters most.

An important and eye-opening look at the power of defiance, of saying ‘No’ in a world that demands ‘Yes’.

About the Author: Dr Sunita Sah, MD PhD MBA, is an award-winning tenured professor and organisational psychologist at Cornell University and Cambridge University. Her research draws insights from psychology, behavioural science, and organisational behaviour. She has spent over a decade studying ethical action, decision making and how we respond to outside influence.

Originally from the United Kingdom, Dr Sah is a trained physician and practised medicine in the UK before embarking on her academic career. She lives with her husband and son in New York, where along with studying defiance, she enjoys hiking, drinking entirely too much Earl Grey tea, and dancing to 80s pop.

13 Feb 2025
 

Defy: The Power of No in a World that Demands Yes: ‘Powerful’ – Adam Grant by Dr Sunita Sah ISBN 9781786581464