WorkLife: How to say no
ReThinking
TED
4.7 • 626 Ratings
🗓️ 29 April 2025
⏱️ 43 minutes
🧾️ Download transcript
Summary
In a world filled with requests, many of us are struggling to stay afloat. Even if you’re not a people-pleaser, the desire to maintain a positive reputation can make it hard to turn others down. In this episode, Adam explores the art and science of delivering an effective “no.” He highlights strategies for setting boundaries with others to create space for yourself—and healthier relationships with those around you. Guests: psychologist Vanessa Bohns, author of You Have More Influence Than You Think; Sherri Lu, founder of Eldest Daughter Club; playwright Topher Payne, author of The Tree Who Set Healthy Boundaries.
Follow
Host: Adam Grant (Instagram: @adamgrant | LinkedIn: @adammgrant | Website: adamgrant.net/)
Guests:
Vanessa Bohns (Instagram: @profbohns | Website: vanessabohns.com/)
Sherri Lu (Instagram: @eldestdaughterclub)
Topher Payne (Instagram: @topherwrites | Website: topherpayne.com/)
Links
You Have More Influence Than You Think by Vanessa Bohns
Eldest Daughter Club's Newsletter (Substack)
The Tree Who Sets Healthy Boundaries by Topher Payne
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ReThinking is produced by Cosmic Standard. Our Senior Producer is Jessica Glazer, our Engineer is Aja Simpson, our Technical Director is Jacob Winik, and our Executive Producer is Eliza Smith.
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Transcript
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| 0:00.0 | Claire worked in the marketing department for an up-and-coming artisan bakery. |
| 0:05.0 | Unfortunately, the artisan bakery in question was so up-and-coming. |
| 0:10.0 | Nobody actually knew it existed. |
| 0:13.0 | But then she had the really good idea to use Canva to create a business plan. |
| 0:18.0 | It looked good, Really, really good. |
| 0:23.0 | Their investors thought so too. |
| 0:27.6 | And now their hotcakes are selling like, well, exactly. |
| 0:29.3 | Thanks, Canber. |
| 0:31.6 | Gina's a muncher. |
| 0:33.5 | Jackson Nibbler. |
| 0:36.3 | Lucy likes to linger. But not for too long |
| 0:39.7 | And Harry |
| 0:40.8 | Thank you Harry |
| 0:43.1 | Macardo is the crunchy biscuit stick |
| 0:45.5 | dipped in smooth milk chocolate |
| 0:47.3 | And makes other biscuits look so |
| 0:48.8 | Ordinary |
| 0:49.7 | Macado is deliciously Moorish |
| 0:52.3 | However you enjoy it |
| 0:53.5 | Make every day more Macardo. |
| 0:56.5 | Grab a pack in your local store today. |
| 0:58.5 | Find Macardo in the Biscuit Isle. |
... |
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