Praise for Defy
“In Defy, Dr. 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, 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
“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
“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 B. Cialdini, New York Times bestselling author of Influence
“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 . . . 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
“Dr. Sah’s Defy is the answer we need for all those regret-filled moments when we stay silent and close our eyes.”—Dr. Mona Hanna, author of What the Eyes Don’t See
“We navigate the world by choosing what we will or will not accept but Dr. Sunita Sah is delivering, for the first time, the science behind those choices . . . From your best yes to your truest no, Defy helps us handle these decisions with integrity, compassion, and candor.”—Annie Duke, bestselling author of Quit
“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 Contagious
“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, New York Times bestselling co-author of The Whole-Brain Child
“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? . . . 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
“Dr. 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?”—Adam Alter, New York Times bestselling author of Irresistible