Worklife with Adam Grant
Worklife with Adam Grant
TED
How to say no
35 minutes Posted Apr 29, 2025 at 4:00 am.
0:00
35:44
Download MP3
Show notes

In a world filled with requests, many of us are struggling to stay afloat. Even if you’re not a people-pleaser, the desire to maintain a positive reputation can make it hard to turn others down. In this episode, Adam explores the art and science of delivering an effective “no.” He highlights strategies for setting boundaries with others to create space for yourself—and healthier relationships with those around you. Guests: psychologist Vanessa Bohns, author of You Have More Influence Than You Think; Sherri Lu, founder of Eldest Daughter Club; playwright Topher Payne, author of The Tree Who Set Healthy Boundaries.


Follow

Host: Adam Grant (Instagram: @adamgrant | LinkedIn: @adammgrant | Website: adamgrant.net/)

Guests:

Vanessa Bohns (Instagram: @profbohns | Website: vanessabohns.com/)

Sherri Lu (Instagram: @eldestdaughterclub)

Topher Payne (Instagram: @topherwrites | Website: topherpayne.com/)


Links

You Have More Influence Than You Think by Vanessa Bohns

Eldest Daughter Club's Newsletter (Substack)

The Tree Who Sets Healthy Boundaries by Topher Payne


Subscribe to TED 

Instagram: @ted

YouTube: @TED

TikTok: @tedtoks

LinkedIn: @ted-conferences

Website: ted.com

Podcasts: ted.com/podcasts

For the full text transcript, visit ted.com/podcasts/worklife/worklife-with-adam-grant-transcripts


Want to help shape TED’s shows going forward? Fill out our survey!


Learn more about TED Next at ted.com/futureyou


For the Idea Search application, go to ted.com/ideasearch


Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.