Why some people thrive under pressure and others burn out
Every workplace has people who seem to stay sharp under pressure. They handle tough calls, navigate change, and keep moving forward when stress is high. Others, just as talented, hit a wall: focus slips, decisions falter, motivation fades.
The difference isn’t about willpower. It’s about the brain and nervous system, and whether people can stay inside what psychologists call the window of tolerance.
What is the window of tolerance
Coined by psychiatrist Dr. Daniel Siegel (1999), the window of tolerance describes the optimal state of the nervous system. Inside this “window,” people are calm but alert—able to focus, think clearly, and respond flexibly to challenges.
When we’re in this zone, our brain’s prefrontal cortex, sometimes called the CEO of the brain is online. That’s when we can:
- concentrate and solve problems creatively
- regulate emotions and work well with others
- make balanced, timely decisions even under stress
It’s the same state athletes refer to as “being in the zone.”
What happens when we fall outside the window
Stress is inevitable. But when it becomes relentless, intense, or unsupported, our nervous system gets overwhelmed. That’s when we tip out of the window of tolerance.
Hyperarousal (overdrive): racing thoughts, anxiety, irritability, restlessness. People may look busy but can’t focus or think strategically.
Hypoarousal (shutdown): exhaustion, mental fog, numbness, detachment. This is the biology of burnout—the system conserving energy to survive.
In either state, the prefrontal cortex goes offline. The brain diverts energy to survival circuits instead of executive functions like planning, creativity, and decision-making.
Burnout is biology, not laziness
When someone is burned out, they aren’t simply “unmotivated.” They’re stuck in hypoarousal, a neurological state of withdrawal. Common workplace signs include:
- slowed reactions, missed deadlines, errors
- emotional numbness or “quiet quitting”
- poor collaboration and leadership capacity
No amount of pressure or pep talks can force people back into productivity. What’s needed is re-regulation: rest, psychological safety, and structured support that helps the nervous system reset.
Why leaders should care about the window
High demands with low support are a recipe for burnout. Leaders who ignore the window of tolerance may see:
- productivity losses through absenteeism, attrition, presenteeism
- reputational risk from poor decisions made under stress
- cultural erosion as teams disengage and morale collapses
The real risk isn’t that people stop working, it’s that they keep working in survival mode, where mistakes multiply and creativity disappears.
How to help teams thrive under pressure
Protecting and expanding the window of tolerance doesn’t happen by accident. It requires a systemic approach that goes beyond wellness perks:
- anticipate pressure points across the organization before people burn out
- embed regulation tools into daily workflows, not just optional extras
- equip leaders to model calm, adaptive responses under stress
- measure outcomes tied to performance such as attrition, error rates, and decision accuracy, not just uptake of wellbeing initiatives
This combination allows people to stay regulated longer, recover faster when they’re stretched, and maintain consistent performance in high-pressure environments.
Final word
The window of tolerance gives us a powerful neuroscience lens: why some people thrive under pressure while others collapse. The lesson is clear that sustainable performance isn’t about pushing harder. It’s about protecting the nervous system and creating conditions where individuals and organizations can stay inside the window for longer.
Because when people are inside their window, they don’t just survive stress, they thrive under it.
