Show Notes
Most of us were taught to be agreeable. To be easy. To be helpful. But constantly saying “yes” can drain our energy and derail our careers.
In this episode from the Hello Monday archives, Jessi Hempel sits down with Dr. Sunita Sah, author of Defy: The Power of No in a World That Demands Yes, to explore why saying “no” feels so hard and why reclaiming defiance is essential to our confidence, clarity, and integrity.
In her conversation with Jessi, Dr. Sah breaks down how to recognize compliance, interrupt it, and rebuild a relationship with “no” that is grounded, principled, and guilt-free.
Jessi and Dr. Sah discuss:
Why saying “no” triggers discomfort
What insinuation anxiety is, and how it quietly shapes workplace behavior
Strategies to speak up even when the stakes feel high
How to break patterns of over-compliance and reclaim autonomy
How to make defiance a practice
How to align your “no” with your values
Continue the conversation with us at Hello Monday Office Hours! Join us on the LinkedIn News page this Wednesday at 3 PM ET.
More from Hello Monday with Jessi Hempel
We plan our careers like life is short. Go to school, climb the career ladder, retire. But as we live longer, the model doesn’t hold up.
After more than two decades exploring courage, vulnerability and leadership, Brené Brown’s work has helped millions of people and changed how we talk about shame and belonging. In her latest book, Strong Ground, Brené introduces the idea of “grounded confidence,” a practice of leading with consistency, clarity and courage instead of bravado.
How do you know when it’s time to stop? Most high achievers would say never. We keep going because quitting feels like failure. But Lindsay Crouse argues that sometimes the bigger failure is continuing past the point you should have.
Danny Meyer has built some of the most beloved and enduring restaurants in the US. The “secret sauce” behind Union Square Cafe, Gramercy Tavern, The Modern, Shake Shack, and more? How diners feel when they walk in the door.
Ten years ago, Angela Duckworth wrote the book on grit. Now she's back with the advice you need to keep moving forward. The MacArthur genius fellow, University of Pennsylvania professor and bestselling author joins Jessi in the studio to make the case that individual effort only takes you as far as your situation allows and that changing your situation is one of the most powerful tools you have. Her new book is called Situated: Find the People and Places That Bring Out Your Best.