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Defy

The Power of No in a World That Demands Yes

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Defy

By: Dr. Sunita Sah
Narrated by: Dr. Sunita Sah
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About this listen

NATIONAL BESTSELLER • Imagine living the life you want to lead, not the one you’re willing to accept. This profound but practical book offers clear steps to stop people pleasing and start living your truth.

“A powerful book. If you’ve ever compromised your principles to please others,
Defy will give you the will—and skill—to stand up for yourself.”—Adam Grant, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Think Again

In a moment when many of us are anxious and unsure what to do—whether we’re confronting injustice on a social scale or facing something closer to home—award-winning researcher Dr. Sunita Sah offers simple strategies to activate your values.

How many times have you wanted to object, disagree, or opt out of something but ended up swallowing your words, shaking your head, and just going along? Featuring groundbreaking research, gripping stories, and easy everyday strategies, Defy reveals how to show up for yourself and others personally, professionally, and beyond. Dr. Sah’s data-driven approach shows why everyone needs the power of defiance and how to build this essential skill.

Learn how to:
Take simple steps to practice defying in low-stakes situations
Decode your body’s signals that it’s time to defy
Activate the superpower of taking responsibility for yourself and others
Rehearse for challenging situations; get comfortable being uncomfortable
Teach kids the difference between being “good” or obedient and doing the right thing, even when it’s unpopular
Spark a domino effect: defiance can be contagious.

Compliance is a constant, corrosive force in our society. But while it’s pervasive, it’s also preventable.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2024 Sunita Sah (P)2024 Random House Audio
Communication & Social Skills Personal Development Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Science Self-Esteem Social Psychology & Interactions
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Critic reviews

“While we like to believe we will stand firm in the face of wrongdoing, more often than not we hesitate, freeze or fail to act in line with our values . . . Sah challenges the assumption that defiance must be dramatic or ‘superhuman’. Instead, quieter acts of resistance—saying no when we mean it, and speaking up when it matters—can have a profound impact.”—Financial Times

“Sah reveals why people need to develop more agency in their lives and change the world they live in.”The Cornell Chronicle

“We’ve all been there. We’ve all caved in. Thank goodness for Sunita Sah’s spirited book, Defy: The Power of No in a World that Demands Yes, which unpacks the act—and art—of refusal.”The Guardian

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Being someone brave enough to defy is a series of small choices and decisions that we can all make to live in accordance with our values and create a more equitable society. Through dedicated practice, I can…I will become that brave person.

Defiance as a learned skill

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As a (recovering) pathological people pleaser I really resonated with this book. I laughed, I cried, I took A LOT of notes Chapters are well written, easily accessible, and thought provoking. I will be listening to this book again, that is for sure.

Impactful

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