The Art of Leadership

The first 2 chemicals are called "selfish" because they are focused on personal survival.

1. Endorphins mask physical pain with pleasure and are a response to stress or fear. An example of endorphins release is the "runner's high" or laughing - it actually causes pain, which is masked by endorphins and that's why if we laugh too much it eventually starts hurting.
2. Dopamine causes the feeling of satisfaction after accomplishing something important to us. It is proportional to the effort.

The other 2 chemicals are focused on socialization and our belonging to a group.

1. Serotonin causes the feeling of pride when others like or respect us.
2. Oxytocin is released to give us feelings of friendship, love, and deep trust. Without it, we couldn't love our children and wouldn't have a partner in the first place. It dictates the vulnerability we can afford to show to people. It is a long-lasting chemical and it is the reason why hand-shaking is so important in our society.

Aside from the happiness chemicals, there is also the notion of cortisol the stress hormone. Historically, it's released when danger is close and we need to get out of a life-threatening situation.

Unfortunately, unhealthy work environments lead to our bodies being inundated with cortisol, which causes our bodies to turn off "unnecessary" functions, such as digestion, growth and the immune system.

We physically feel sick in an unhealthy work environment.