The Science of Happy and The Inspired Leader

MVMA January 2023 Convention Wellness track : Presenter Abby Whiting: Chair of wellbeing Task Force

The Science of Happy: What advances in positive psychology can offer veterinary medicine ● Definitions : positive psychology, predictors of success, markers of joy ○ Utilization of positive psychology allows us to increase our innate “happiness” above our previous genetic set point. The result is an increase in educational, productivity, and healthcare outcomes; as well as increased sustainability of the healthcare team. ● An Evidence based exploration of the data ○ A team is 31% more effective and profitable if they describe themselves as “happy” vs neutral or unhappy. ■ Who doesn't want to be 31% more profitable? ○ Yale and Harvard both have PHDs in happiness ○ Data from fortune 500 companies, military units, local, state, and national governments. ● What companies and industries have already utilized this ○ US Military, Google,Meta, Starbucks, Virgin Atlantic, Orlando Trauma Center ■ Aristotle project: the superstar problem ○ What we can learn from their experience and wealth of data ● Using the evidence to increase productivity and profitability ● Using the evidence to reduce burn out, staff turnover and toxic employees. ● Whiting’s Voodoo Magic for increasing joy and happiness ○ How a team can use these tricks to become a highly functional unit.

The Inspired Leader: leading the Veterinary Team of the Future: Shifting from managing to coaching. ● Classic team management vs servant leadership ○ Managing: Getting people to do things that need to be done. ○ Coaching: Getting people to WANT to do what needs to be done. ○ Getting “buy in” from all team members on the common goal and ethos ■ Managing large personalities in team sports ● Phil Jackson vs Bobby Knight (NBA) ○ Kobe Bryant vs Micheal Jordan ○ Applying this in veterinary medicine; don’t reinvent the wheel ● Moving our average to the right of the bell curve ○ Aiming for exceeds expectations ○ Why does the bell curve matter? ■ The “set points’ are movable! ● Integration of gratitude, communication, and belonging into the veterinary practice ○ Exercises that increase cohesion and team success - measurably (data)

○ The habits and conscious decisions that predict happiness/ profitability/sustainability. ■ Whiting’s Voodoo Magic for increasing joy and happiness ● Roadblocks to coaching ○ The Emotional terrorist ○ Fear of crucial conversations ○ Lack of communication training

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