Defy: The Power of No in a World That Demands Yes

NATIONAL BESTSELLER - Imagine living the life you want to lead, not the one you're willing to accept. This profound but practical book offers clear steps to stop people pleasing and start living your truth.

"A powerful book. If you've ever compromised your principles to please others, Defy will give you the will--and skill--to stand up for yourself."--Adam Grant, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Think Again

In a moment when many of us are anxious and unsure what to do--whether we're confronting injustice on a social scale or facing something closer to home--award-winning researcher Dr. Sunita Sah offers simple strategies to activate your values.

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? Featuring groundbreaking research, gripping stories, and easy everyday strategies, Defy reveals how to show up for yourself and others personally, professionally, and beyond. Dr. Sah's data-driven approach shows why everyone needs the power of defiance and how to build this essential skill.

Learn how to:
- Take simple steps to practice defying in low-stakes situations
- Decode your body's signals that it's time to defy
- Activate the superpower of taking responsibility for yourself and others
- Rehearse for challenging situations; get comfortable being uncomfortable
- Teach kids the difference between being "good" or obedient and doing the right thing, even when it's unpopular
- Spark a domino effect: defiance can be contagious.

Compliance is a constant, corrosive force in our society. But while it's pervasive, it's also preventable.

Author: Sunita Sah
Publisher: One World
Published: 01/14/2025
Pages: 320
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 1.18lbs
Size: 9.41h x 6.39w x 1.17d
ISBN: 9780593445778


Review Citation(s):
Booklist 11/01/2024 pg. 3

About the Author
Dr. Sunita Sah is an award-winning professor at Cornell University and an expert in organizational psychology. She leads groundbreaking research on influence, authority, compliance, and defiance. A trained physician, she practiced medicine in the United Kingdom and worked as a management consultant for the pharmaceutical industry. She currently teaches executives, leaders, and students in healthcare and business. Dr. Sah is a sought-after international speaker and consultant, advisor to government agencies, and former Commissioner of the National Commission on Forensic Science. Her multidisciplinary research and analyses have been widely published in leading academic journals and media entities including The New York Times, Los Angeles Times, Harvard Business Review, and Scientific American. She lives with her husband and son in New York.