How to say no (from WorkLife with Adam Grant)

In this episode of WorkLife, host Adam Grant explores the challenges of saying "no" and strategies for setting boundaries in both personal and professional contexts. Grant interviews Vanessa Bonds and Sherry Liu, who share their experiences with people-pleasing and the pressures they've faced, particularly as women. The discussion covers the psychology behind saying yes, the acquaintance trap, and the societal expectations that make it difficult for some to decline requests. Grant and his guests offer practical advice for setting personal policies, conveying care when saying no, and utilizing referrals. They also emphasize the importance of teaching others about boundaries and the value of self-respect over the need to be liked, illustrating these points with anecdotes and research findings.