How to Say Yes Without Setting Yourself Up to Fail: A Conversation with Dr. Brooke Grindlinger
We are told to say yes to stretch opportunities, new challenges, and experiences outside our comfort zone. And that advice is not wrong, but it is usually delivered without the nuance that makes it useful.
Because not every opportunity is the right opportunity. Not every challenge is a healthy stretch. And not every yes leads to growth.
So, how do you know the difference? How do you evaluate an opportunity before you commit to it? How do you know when you are stretching versus overextending? And how do you advocate for the clarity, support, and resources you need to actually succeed?
That is exactly what we explored in this AdaMarie LinkedIn Live with Dr. Brooke Grindlinger — microbiologist, Chief Scientific Officer at The New York Academy of Sciences, and one of the most practical and honest voices we have had in this community.
Brooke has spent her career watching what happens when people say yes well and what happens when they do not. At NYAS she has supported scientists and early-career professionals through professional development, leadership, and community-building, and she has seen firsthand how a thoughtful yes can open doors, build confidence, and stretch people in meaningful ways and how an unclear yes can quietly become overwhelming when expectations, support, or boundaries are never defined.
The conversation covered a lot of ground:
The difference between a yes that builds your career and one that just keeps you busy.
Why asking clarifying questions feels risky even when it is the smartest move you can make.
What causes people to say yes to things that are not aligned with their goals — fear, flattery, unclear priorities, and the sense that no is not really an option.
And the five questions you should ask before committing to anything significant.
There was one moment in the conversation that we keep coming back to. Brooke said something that is simple but worth sitting with: A good yes should stretch you, not swallow you.
If you have ever said yes to something and immediately wondered whether you should have or if you are navigating an opportunity right now and not sure how to evaluate it, this replay is exactly what you need.
The full conversation is available inside the AdaMarie Professional Network. Become a member for full access to this and other expert conversations.
About Brooke Grindlinger
Brooke Grindlinger is the Chief Scientific Officer at The New York Academy of Sciences where she leads global scientific programs, interdisciplinary initiatives, and prize programs supporting early-career researchers and innovators. With a background in microbiology, scientific publishing, and science philanthropy, Brooke’s work sits at the intersection of research, communication, and systems-building for the future of science. She is passionate about expanding pathways into STEM and helping scientists translate discovery into real-world impact.
