Leading to Happiness in Pathology

Leadership is an enigmatic field of thought and action that is difficult to define, describe, and teach, yet is unmistakable in its manifestation within the adroit individual who displays its most inherent traits. Leadership can lead to happiness in those touched by its presence. Highly successful leaders are said to embody the essence of excellence in four major intelligences: skillful knowledge (IQ), emotional (EQ), social (SQ) and cultural (CQ). As leaders in pathology, histotechnicians and pathologists are well known to be highly sensitive and intelligent professionals, trusted by scores of other healthcare professionals who depend upon crucial laboratory results to inform patient care. Yet, all too often we may suffer with compassion fatigue, overworked staffs, and ever-changing medical paradigms that take away from our happiness. The science of happiness shows that leaders have the capacity to modulate their habits and biases to overcome challenges within themselves, and help others to achieve the same. By examining the roles of applied leadership principles on inner work life, triangulated working relationships, and the hierarchy of basic human needs, pathology and histology professionals can learn how they can affect the conditions leading to happiness in others. Learning to harness the power of the four major leadership intelligences will help to strengthen leadership characteristics in professionals, leading to improved health and happiness of employees, customers, and ultimately, patients.