10 Seconds To Air
How To Stop Saying “Yes” When We Really Mean “No” with Dr. Sunita Sah
June 3, 2025 · 46 min
Why listen
Find out why you keep saying yes when you mean no and how to finally stop.
0:00––:––
Enjoy the episode?
Subscribe to 10 Seconds To Air
Listen & subscribe on
In this episode
- The psychology behind why we comply even when our gut says otherwise
- What insinuation anxiety is and how it silences you
- A three-question Defiance Compass to guide authentic decisions
- Practical steps to stop performing agreement and honor your values
About this episode
Have you ever said yes when you meant no?Whether it’s nodding along with a doctor’s recommendation, going along with your boss, or staying silent in a meeting—most of us are guilty of complying when our gut says to speak up.
In this episode, organizational psychologist and Cornell professor Dr. Sunita Sah breaks down the powerful psychological forces behind why we comply—and how we can learn to defy. From her research on “insinuation anxiety” to her experience as a physician, Dr. Sah explains how to shift from automatic yeses to authentic decision-making so that we may all live true to our values.
She shares her three-question Defiance Compass, reveals how to truly give (or withhold) consent, and offers practical steps to stop performing agreement and start honoring your values.
💡 Defiance isn’t rebellion—it’s integrity in action.
Website: SunitaSah.com
Substack Newsletter: Defiant By Design | http://sunitasah.substack.com/
LinkedIn: @drsunitasah | https://linkedin.com/in/drsunitasah
Instagram: @drsunitasah | https://www.instagram.com/drsunitasah
TikTok: @drsunitasah | https://www.tiktok.com/@drsunitasah
Facebook: @sunitasahuk | https://www.facebook.com/sunitasahuk/
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
About 10 Seconds To Air
We are constantly communicating. How well we do it has a significant impact on our success and happiness. From the moment we wake up until we go to sleep, we are sending emails and texts, giving presentations, talking to loved ones and co-workers, and interacting with our surroundings.
See all episodes →
