As human we are equipped with a neurobiological safety mechanism whose sole job is to keep us alive by relentlessly scanning for danger. This system hasn’t evolved to distinguish between being chased by a predator and losing a job. To the brain, uncertainty itself is a threat.

For leaders in transition, this mechanism can go into overdrive. It thinks it’s helping by tightening control and pushing you toward caution in unfamiliar territory. That’s when the saboteurs show up: patterns rooted in real strengths, such as discipline, drive, and responsibility, that get hijacked by fear and the need for certainty.

This short assessment (24 statements, about 4 minutes) shows you which saboteurs are most active for you right now, and how to respond to each.