A deeper dive into the four chemicals and how they interact. Understanding E.D.S.O. helps explain why some workplace practices build trust while others destroy it.
How Leaders Can Use E.D.S.O.
Trigger Serotonin
- Public recognition and praise
- Celebrating achievements
- Showing respect and gratitude
- Making people feel valued
Trigger Oxytocin
- Physical presence and face-to-face interaction
- Acts of kindness and generosity
- Building personal connections
- Creating shared experiences
The Danger of Dopamine Addiction
Dopamine is designed to be addictive—it’s how evolution ensured we’d keep achieving. But modern life offers unlimited dopamine sources:
Dopamine Overload
- Social media likes and notifications
- Email inbox zero
- Hitting quarterly targets
- Closing deals
- Shopping and consumption
The problem: dopamine hits feel good but don’t create lasting satisfaction. We need oxytocin for that.
Why Oxytocin Matters Most
Of all the chemicals, oxytocin is perhaps most important for organizations. It’s what creates trust, loyalty, and cooperation.
The Oxytocin Effect
- Inhibits the addictive effects of dopamine
- Reduces anxiety and stress
- Increases empathy and trust
- Promotes generous behavior
- Strengthens immune system
- Creates lasting satisfaction (unlike dopamine)
Key Takeaways
- Dopamine drives achievement but can become addictive
- Serotonin creates the pride of recognition and status
- Oxytocin builds trust, loyalty, and cooperation
- Leaders can intentionally trigger serotonin (recognition) and oxytocin (connection)
- Oxytocin is the antidote to dopamine addiction
- Modern work often over-indexes on dopamine, under-indexes on oxytocin