Negotiate Anything How to Speak Up When It Matters With Dr. Sunita Sah
Feb 27, 2026
Dr. Sunita Sah, a physician-turned-organizational psychologist and author of Defy, studies why we stay silent. She explores how social conditioning makes compliance feel like consent. Short takes cover reclaiming agency, redefining defiance as value-driven action, the psychology of insinuation anxiety, and practical moves like pausing to avoid reflexive yeses.
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Defiance Is Living Your Values
- Defiance is acting in line with your true values when pressured to do otherwise, not simply rebellion against authority.
- Dr. Sunita Sah reframes defiance as a positive skill anyone can learn, distinct from loud or aggressive behavior.
Train Defiance As A Skill
- Learn defiance as a skillset rather than assuming it's a personality trait; anyone can develop it with practice.
- Start by studying small acts of defiance and building toward larger, value-aligned choices.
Research Shows Widespread Silence In High Stakes Jobs
- Dr. Sunita Sah shares research showing nine out of ten healthcare workers feel uncomfortable speaking up about colleague errors.
- Similar airline research found roughly half of crew felt uneasy challenging mistakes, illustrating life-or-death costs.
