'The Power of No' with Dr Sunita Sah

'The Power of No' with Dr Sunita Sah

From The Evolving Leader by Jean Gomes and Scott Allender

November 19, 2025 · 56 min · Season 8 · Episode 8

About this episode

The episode discusses the importance of saying 'no' and the societal pressures that encourage compliance.

In this episode of The Evolving Leader, hosts Jean Gomes and Scott Allender are joined by Dr. Sunita Sah, a physician turned organisational psychologist and Professor of Management at Cornell University. Together they explore the power of saying “no” in a world that rewards compliance. Drawing from her acclaimed book “Defy: The Power of No in a World that Demands Yes”, Dr Sah reveals how our upbringing, institutions, and social pressures teach us to equate being “good” with being obedient, an...

People in this episode

Hosts: Jean Gomes, Scott Allender

Guest: Dr. Sunita Sah

Topics covered

  • power of no
  • compliance
  • organizational psychology
  • social pressures
  • obedience

Keywords

  • saying no
  • organizational behavior
  • social compliance
  • Dr. Sunita Sah
  • Cornell University

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Cornell University

Books & works: Defy: The Power of No in a World that Demands Yes

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