Definition
Poles
Each HES element is a spectrum, not a category: the Low and High poles describe how it presents at its two extremes, while the Reference marks the typical, everyday middle. The poles map variation across the range — neither end is inherently better or worse.
Rapid accumulation of chronic fatigue and aversion to demand; “burns out” after relatively short high-load periods.
Sustains high demand without chronic deterioration by managing resources, recovery, and meaning; maintains effective long-range functioning.
Can tolerate “sprints” (weeks) but struggles with “marathons” (months) without accumulating destructive consequences.
Measure
• Recovery: how readily one returns to baseline once burnout drift begins.
Measuring Methods
Empirical Anchor
Notes
Citation
Human Elements System. (2026). Burnout Resistance (HES Passport D016, v1.2.4). hestable.com. https://hestable.com/passport/D016
@misc{hes_D016, author = {{Human Elements System}}, title = {{Burnout Resistance}}, year = {2026}, note = {HES Passport D016, v1.2.4}, howpublished = {\url{https://hestable.com/passport/D016}} }