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

'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 Hidden Potential
'In DEFY, Sunita Sah brilliantly reframes our understanding of defiance-from an act of mere rebellion to a vital tool for personal growth and social change. This book is a powerful, even transformative, read for anyone who's ever felt the tension between doing what's expected and doing what's right.' -- Daniel H. Pink, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Power of Regret, Drive, and When
'Dr. Sah is leading the charge on the science of compliance and defiance. DEFY changes our understanding about true consent and true dissent, a real yes and a real no. . . A must-read for all.' -- Dr. Robert Cialdini, New York Times bestselling author of Influence
'Dr. Sunita Sah has created this decisive how-to guide on defiance and acting in accordance with your deepest convictions. Firmly grounded in the latest science, DEFY will surely become a culture-shifting manifesto for all of us 'moral mavericks' who hope to use conscientious resistance to make the world a better place.' -- Jonah Berger, bestselling author of Magic Words, The Catalyst, Contagious, and Invisible Influence
'Sunita Sah's DEFY is an important, timely book written by an expert who has studied and lived the central questions in her book: when should you speak up, and how do you empower people at home, work, and play to speak up when staying silent is the easier option? DEFY is an important book for policymakers, educators, parents, and really anyone who's faced the prospect of standing up to power, indifference, and callousness.' -- Adam Alter, New York Times bestselling author of Irresistible and Drunk Tank Pink
'We all have to navigate the world by choosing what we will or will not accept for ourselves, but for the first time Dr. Sunita Sah is delivering the science behind those choices. What do you do when you're faced with a big decision? What do you do when you feel pressured to make a particular choice? From how to give your best yes to your truest no, DEFY can help us handle those big decisions with integrity, compassion, and candor.' -- Annie Duke, professional poker play and author of Quit: The Power of Knowing When to Walk Away
'As parents, we are the front lines of defense for our children's wellbeing. We inevitably have to contend with the advice from other family members, teachers, and medical professionals, and along with that, maintain trust in our children. Dr. Sah's work on how we can learn to conscientiously defy is a must-read for any parent, woman, or professional.' -- Tina Payne Bryson, Ph.D., New York Times bestselling co-author of The Whole-Brain Child & No-Drama Discipline, and The Way of Play
'Dr. Sah's DEFY is the answer we need for all those regret-filled moments when we stay silent and close our eyes. A playbook to understand how and when to take action, DEFY is an essential and transformative read for everyone wanting to live a life true to their values.' -- Dr. Mona Hanna, author of What the Eyes Don’t See
'Dr. Sunita Sah shows us that defiance isn't just for protests; it's just as vital at the kitchen table. Even though I'm someone who is dedicated to challenging the system, DEFY showed me how often I let others' beliefs eclipse my own-diminishing my sense of agency. Dr. Sah powerfully argues that the ability to defy is essential for true liberation, even from self-imposed constraints. DEFY is a must-read for anyone committed to justice and building an inclusive world.' -- LaTosha Brown, organizer, strategist, and co-founder of Black Voters Matter
'DEFY answers one of the most pressing questions raised by the pandemic, protests, and the presidential election: why do people behave in ways that ignore science, oppose equity, and undercut their own self-interest? Dr. Sah's ability to explain how we are both hardwired to comply and socially conditioned to obey provides much-needed insight on everything from police brutality to anti-mask/anti-vax protests, to the Capitol insurrection. But DEFY isn't a dry tome focusing on scholarly analysis of current events. It's an engaging explanation of why defiance is the exception and obedience is the rule in all of our lives while also providing concrete strategies to recognize and transform our responses.' -- Kerry Ann Rockquemore, founder of the National Center for Faculty Development & Diversity