Positive Links Speaker Series: DEFY: How to Speak Up When It Matters
Speaker: Sunita Sah
Tuesday, November 17, 2026
1:00 – 2:00 p.m. ET
Free and Online | Registration required to obtain login information

Event link: https://myumi.ch/8JMJn

Positive Links:
The Positive Links Speaker Series, running for over 22 years with 165 sessions, is one of the most-watched speaker series at Michigan Ross. Positive Links features distinguished scholars sharing leading ideas in the science of thriving. Learn how to ignite the science of extraordinary organizations catalyzed by human thriving, together with our community of researchers, students, staff, and leaders.

About the talk:
Why is it so hard to speak up, even when we know something’s wrong?

Many of us comply much more than we realize. How many times have you wanted to object, disagree, or opt out of something—but ended up swallowing your words, shaking your head, and just going along? Discussing the ideas and frameworks from her bestselling book DEFY, Dr. Sunita Sah will delve into why the pressure to comply is a corrosive and often invisible force in our society, and what we can do about it.

Drawing on her original research on compliance, defiance, insinuation anxiety, and voice, you’ll learn to:

• Show up authentically in personal and professional situations
• Understand the difference between defiance, compliance, and consent
• Practice defiance in low-stakes scenarios to build confidence
• Recognize your body’s warning signals that it’s time to act
• Navigate workplace pressure without losing your integrity (or your job)

Defiance isn’t about being loud or combative. It’s about acting in alignment with your values, even when it’s hard. DEFY will show you how to do it every day, in every part of your life