Speaking of Psychology How to say ‘no’: The power of defiance, with Sunita Sah, PhD
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Feb 12, 2025 
Sunita Sah, PhD, an organizational psychologist and author, dives into the challenges of saying 'no' in a world that pressures us to comply. She explores the empowering nature of defiance and its alignment with personal values. Topics include the critical differences between consent and compliance, and practical techniques to resist social pressures. Sah also discusses the 'voice empathy gap' in nursing, shedding light on the need for better communication across hierarchical structures. An insightful conversation on standing firm and asserting oneself!
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Redefining Defiance
- Compliance is often equated with being "good," while defiance is seen as "bad."
- However, prioritizing compliance can have negative consequences, hindering speaking up against errors or wrongdoing.
Financial Advisor Anecdote
- Sunita Sah describes a meeting with a financial advisor who disclosed a conflict of interest.
- This disclosure increased the pressure to comply, illustrating the concept of "insinuation anxiety."
Training for Defiance
- Create a "power of the pause" by delaying decisions instead of immediately complying.
- Practice defiance by anticipating situations and visualizing responses to build neural pathways.
