Do you sink, float, or swim?

This article is part of the Contemporary leadership series

Too often we seem to find ourselves reading about the epidemic of executive burnout. It’s a popular topic: it raises eyebrows, and sounds alarm bells.

In my previous life as a firefighter and fire brigade leader, I was all too aware of the news value of a raging fire. Now, after 10 years of working with top executives, leaders, professional athletes, and even special forces soldiers, I realise that burnout is only a small part of the story. You could put most managers on a performance continuum.

*Tignum research and diagnostic testing with 2,000 leaders. Two-thirds had impaired metabolic function, which decreases energy and contributes to brain fog.

Scott Peltin is co-author of ‘Sink, Float or Swim’ and chief performance officer at Tignum, an international consultancy that helps leaders work at their full potential. Prior to co-founding the firm in 2005 with Jogi Rippel, he held leading positions in the US fire service for 25 years.