#475 Ask the Expert: How to say no with Dr. Sunita Sah

Squiggly Careers

The Squiggly Career

Management, Careers, Business

5 • 809 Ratings

🗓️ 15 April 2025

⏱️ 33 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

In this episode, Dr. Sunita Sah, expert in defiance and decision-making, shares how to confidently say "no" in challenging situations. Sarah and Sunita dive into the psychology of defiance, discussing how to assess the risks, benefits, and personal costs of speaking up or complying. They explore the power of the "pause" and the importance of third-person self-talk to help make better, more authentic decisions. Whether it's in the workplace or beyond, Sunita provides actionable advice on how to navigate difficult conversations, protect your values, and maintain your well-being.

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Transcript

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0:00.0	Hi, I'm Sarah and this is a Squiggly Careers podcast. This week you're going to hear me in conversation with Dr.
0:09.8	Sinita Saar and she's going to be talking to us about how to say no in a world that often demands yes
0:16.8	and her new book, Defy. I can promise you, this is one of the most practical, useful and insightful
0:24.2	conversations I've had about this topic. Dr. Sinita Sart is brilliant. She has so much to offer
0:30.9	from her reflections and her research. And I think you're going to find this a really brilliant
0:36.5	listen, whether it's something you want to get a bit better at, or whether you're think you're going to find this a really brilliant listen, whether it's something
0:38.1	you want to get a bit better at or whether you're something you're just getting started with.
0:42.8	I think there's something for everyone in today's episode. I hope you enjoy listening and we'll
0:47.4	be back at the end to say goodbye.
0:52.4	So, Nita, thank you so much for joining us on the Squiggly Careers podcast.
0:56.0	I'm really looking forward to our conversation today.
0:58.3	Thank you very much for inviting me.
0:59.7	I'm excited to be here.
1:00.7	So your new book is called Defy and the subtitle, which I particularly like, and I know from experience,
1:06.8	subtitles are hard to write, but yours is the power of no in a world that demands yes.
1:13.3	And I remember reading that subtitle and straight away, I think you can think of examples of where
1:19.1	you wish you'd said no, but for some reason you didn't. You kind of said yes instead.
1:25.1	And very early on in your book, it really struck me that saying no
1:30.1	is so hard because compliance and obedience is our default. It took me back to being at school.
1:37.4	You know, like you're growing up, right? And you don't want to get things wrong and you learn to
1:42.4	follow rules and do what you're told.
1:44.7	I felt like we were conditioned to behave in that way.
	...

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