Why do some people in the world’s most stressful careers avoid burnout while countless others are overwhelmed by the demands of ordinary jobs? What can we learn from these resilient role models who seem naturally resistant to burnout?

After burnout caused a life-threatening health crisis in her own life, Dr. Kandi Wiens left a lucrative career in management consulting and enrolled in a doctoral program at the University of Pennsylvania to understand why burnout was leaving millions of us sick, exhausted, unmotivated, and feeling stuck and ineffective. In her research, she discovered something remarkable: Despite dangerous levels of work-related stress, some workers seemed to be naturally “immune” to burnout.

So what did these people have that Dr. Wiens and millions of others did not? In digging further, she uncovered one key difference: Regardless of their role, industry, or experience, all of these professionals exhibited a high degree of emotional intelligence (EI). EI is the ability to clearly perceive, understand, and productively manage emotions, thoughts, and behaviors. The workers with burnout immunity were relying on specific EI skills to successfully cope with stressful work environments and experiences. The result—more productive, happier careers and lives, free from the physical and mental ravages of the exhaustion, negativity, and inefficacy that characterize burnout.

The good news is that everyone can build and boost their emotional intelligence and use EI-based skills to manage workplace stress and immunize themselves against burnout. Burnout Immunity shows readers how to develop and master the EI skills, principles and strategies Dr. Wiens uncovered in her research in those with burnout immunity and apply them to their own unique roles and work environments, including:

1) Awareness

2) Regulation

3) Meaningful Connections

4) Mindset

5) Recover, Reconnect, and Reimagine

Bolstered with research, exercises, self-assessments, and real-life stories from people with natural burnout immunity and those who’ve cultivated it, Burnout Immunity teaches workers how to avoid burnout before it strikes, and to enjoy healthier and happier relationships with work.