
'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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