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When overwhelmed managers can distinguish between their productive and unproductive struggles, they're less likely to feel like they're "spinning [their] wheels and stagnating", a performance consultant says.

In his book Better, Andrew Horsfield says the work people want to get done "always has a hard part", but high-performing leaders will use the challenge to emerge stronger on the other side.

He warns that when leaders are feeling overwhelmed or uncertain about how to progress, it's important for them to realise that not every struggle they face is going to be a productive one; some "just lead to anger and frustration".

Therefore, knowing the difference between a productive struggle and an unproductive one is crucial, Horsfield says...