Leading in Crisis: Dr. Thom Mayer on True Leadership, Resilience, and Battling Burnout

Some people are wired differently. While most instinctively retreat from crisis, others—first responders, elite athletes, and true leaders—run toward it. It’s not about seeking chaos but rather embracing a deep-seated drive to bring order to it.

Dr. Thom Mayer is one of those people.

From his work as the Medical Director of the NFL Players Association to his groundbreaking insights into burnout, resilience, and adaptive capacity, Dr. Mayer doesn’t just study leadership—he embodies it. On this episode of the Crackin’ Backs Podcast, we dive deep into what it means to lead under pressure, reframe burnout, and find deep joy in our work.

Leadership Is a Verb, Not a Title

Dr. Mayer challenges the traditional notion of leadership. In his words, “Leadership is worthless, but leading is priceless.” Why? Because leadership is just a noun—a title anyone can claim. Leading, on the other hand, is what you do every single day.

The best leaders aren’t found in corner offices or boardrooms. They are everywhere—nurses on the frontlines, teachers in classrooms, single parents managing households, and emergency responders making split-second life-or-death decisions.

True leadership isn't about being the most important person in the room; it’s about making everyone else feel like they are. It’s about stepping up in moments of crisis and lowering the collective heart rate of those around you.

The Burnout Equation: Stress vs. Adaptive Capacity

Burnout has become a buzzword in modern workplaces, but Dr. Mayer breaks it down into a simple formula:

Burnout = Job Stressors / Adaptive Capacity

Rather than just increasing resilience (which can sound like blaming the individual for their exhaustion), Dr. Mayer emphasizes adaptive capacity—our ability to flex, pivot, and thrive amid chaos.

He prefers the term adaptive capacity over resilience because, as he puts it, “Resilience sounds like you’re the problem. Adaptive capacity? That’s something you can build, train, and develop.”

Think about an elite quarterback under pressure. Their success isn’t about brute force—it’s about reading the field, adapting on the fly, and executing the right decision in real-time.

So how do we increase adaptive capacity and combat burnout?
 

1. Reduce Job Stressors – Work smarter, not harder. Make systems easier, not more complicated.

2. Build Adaptive Capacity – Train your mind like a muscle. Embrace new ways of thinking, improve self-care, and cultivate habits that increase energy rather than drain it.

3. Lead at Every Level – Leadership isn't confined to titles. It’s about stepping up in every role, every industry, every moment.

Trust: The Foundation of Innovation

Dr. Mayer describes innovation as occurring at the Speed of Trust. Without trust, people won’t step outside their comfort zones or take risks to improve.

Think of the classic corporate line: “Think outside the box.”

Sounds great, right? But what most bosses really mean is, “Think outside the box… as long as it’s my box.”

Real innovation happens when people feel psychologically safe enough to challenge the norm. Without trust, teams stagnate, individuals burn out, and change management becomes a nightmare.

Want to build trust? Deliver on promises. Even small commitments—returning a call, following through on an idea—reinforce reliability. As Dr. Mayer says, trust takes weeks, months, or years to build, but only a second to destroy.


Daily Habits That Change the Game

Dr. Mayer doesn’t just talk about mindset shifts—he lives them. His daily practice?
 

• Morning: Think of three people to be grateful for and send them a note, text, or call.

• Evening: Reflect on three good things that happened during the day.
   

Simple? Yes. But scientifically proven to outperform Zoloft in reducing symptoms of depression in a clinical trial. Gratitude, mindfulness, and daily reflection aren’t just feel-good practices—they’re powerful tools in boosting mental resilience and adaptive capacity.

Know Your Deep Joy

Dr. Mayer emphasizes that finding your deep joy matters more than chasing the world’s deep needs. Too many people focus on external validation, but real fulfillment comes from discovering and embracing what makes you come alive.

His advice?
✅ Know your deep joy – What fuels you?
✅ Know your skill set – What are you naturally great at?
✅ Make failure your fuel – Every setback is an opportunity to improve.

Tom Brady, for example, was drafted 199th overall, overlooked by six other quarterbacks. He never forgot. He used that as fuel to outwork, outthink, and outperform every single one of them.

Failure is only failure if you fail to learn from it.

Chaos Is Just Uncertainty in Disguise

Many people see chaos as overwhelming. But Dr. Mayer sees it differently:

Chaos is just a lack of understanding.
Uncertainty disappears when we recognize patterns.
The most successful people bring clarity to chaos.

For those navigating burnout, career shifts, or personal crises, his message is simple:

✨ Pause. Reflect. Reconsider. ✨

Take a breath before reacting. Recognize patterns others miss. Find calm amid the storm.

Because leadership isn’t about waiting for the crisis to pass—it’s about stepping up when it arrives.

Final Thoughts: Leading Starts Now

Dr. Mayer doesn’t believe in “someday I’ll be a leader.” Leadership isn’t a destination—it’s a choice you make today.

Ask yourself:
🔥 What can I do right now to lead in my life?
🔥 How can I make someone else feel valued?
🔥 What stressors can I remove for myself or my team?

Because we’re all leaders already. The only question is: How will you lead?

🎙️ Watch the full conversation with Dr. Thom Mayer on the Crackin’ Backs Podcast YouTube Channel.

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