CEO: Behind the Scenes Why fulfillment is the real answer to workplace burnout
Jan 28, 2026
Imamu ‘Mu’ Tomlinson, a practicing emergency physician and CEO who leads clinician-driven innovation, talks about leadership forged by frontline adversity. He explores staying close to patients, clinician-led innovation, equity as an organizational capability, measuring fulfillment over burnout, and scaling culture without diluting purpose.
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House Fire That Forged Leadership
- Imamu Tomlinson survived a house fire in his last year of medical school that burned 20% of his body.
- The experience shifted his gratitude and sense of duty, shaping his resilience and leadership.
Leadership Needs Frontline Proximity
- Tomlinson insists executives must work on the front line to understand consequences of decisions.
- Being close to patients gives leaders direct feedback that improves strategic choices.
Be Present And Test Ideas On The Front Line
- Be present in each moment and bring your authentic self to both frontline work and strategy.
- Use frontline interactions to test ideas and get immediate feedback before scaling them.
