Upcoming engagements:
RSVP for an Open House or Studio Practice by clicking here.
In collaboration with ICF Washington State and ICF Oregon Charter Chapters:
What AI Can’t Replace: The Business Case for EQ and the Coach’s Role in Building It
Speaker: Joshua Freedman, CEO and Co-founder of Six Seconds
Host: Desiree Briel Rodi, Ph.D., PCC
Date: Tuesday, August 25, 2026
Time: 11:00 am – 12:30 pm Pacific Time
CCEs: 0.5 Core Competencies and 1.0 Resource Development
Location: Virtual meeting via Zoom.us. Remember to log in before registering for the event.
***IMPORTANT: You will be redirected to a Zoom registration form after purchasing your ticket. You must register with Zoom to access the live event.
Replay available to registrants for viewing purposes only (no CCEs)
Description
This Emotional Intelligence SIG is offered in collaboration with ICF Washington State and ICF Oregon Charter Chapters.
As AI takes over more of what we used to call “smart,” the uniquely human capacities—self-awareness, empathy, connection, judgment under pressure—are becoming the real differentiator for leaders and the real frontier for coaches. Yet most organizations still treat emotional intelligence as a “nice to have,” even as disengagement drains trillions from the global economy and erodes the trust on which performance depends.
In this interactive session, Josh Freedman—CEO of Six Seconds and author of Emotion Rules—makes the data-backed business case for emotional intelligence and shows why it’s the leadership capability AI can’t replicate. More importantly, he’ll explore how coaches carry this work forward: helping clients see EQ as measurable and learnable, connecting it to the outcomes their organizations care about, and extending its ripple effects far beyond any single conversation.
Coaches will leave able to:
* Make the business case in numbers they can actually use — the evidence linking EQ to engagement, retention, decision quality, and profitability, framed as language that lands with skeptical clients and stakeholders.
* Reframe AI as the reason EQ matters more, not less — understand the shift that makes emotional intelligence the distinguishing human capability in an automated world, and how to position coaching around it.
* Show that EQ is measurable and learnable — see how a measure → develop → re-measure approach turns “soft skills” into visible, trackable growth that clients and their organizations can believe in.
* Understand the coach’s leverage in the larger system — how developing one leader’s emotional intelligence ripples outward into teams, climate, and culture.
* Take a practical frame into their next session — at least one model or practice to apply immediately to help clients understand, embrace, and leverage emotions as a source of insight and connection.
About Joshua Freedman
Joshua Freedman is the CEO and cofounder of Six Seconds, the world’s largest emotional intelligence nonprofit. For more than 25 years, he has led the State of the Heart study, advised organizations including FedEx, Shell, and the United Nations, and developed practical EQ tools used in over 150 countries. A bestselling author, he has a latest book, “Emotion Rules” (2026), that helps leaders transform emotions into data that drive trust, resilience, and results. Website
About Desiree Briel Rodi
Desiree Briel Rodi is a PCC coach who harnesses Emotional Intelligence to drive awareness, action, and accountability. She’s worked in higher education administration, non-profit management, and people & business strategy. She holds a B.A. from Yale, an MBA from Seattle University, a Certificate in Evidence-Based Coaching, and an M.A. and Ph.D. in Organizational Development and Change from Fielding Graduate University. LinkedIn
Resolving Emotional Reacivity
Resolving Emotional Reactivity: Open House Workshop Series
Learn to Ride the Waves, Calm the Tides, and Climb Your Mountains
Join us for a 45-minute informational open house to learn more about our transformational six-part workshop series designed to help you understand and navigate your emotions with clarity, courage, and compassion. Through guided practice and discussion, participants will learn to:
– Recognize and regulate emotional patterns
– Understand their emotions and needs to better meet them
– Navigate conflict with skill and empathy
– Build deeper communication and connection
Open House Dates | 12:00 – 12:45 PM PDT
– November 14, 2025
– December 11, 2025
– January 15, 2026
– February 26, 2026
– March 12, 2026
Why Attend?
This series invites you to develop emotional intelligence as both a personal and professional skill. Learn to surf the emotional waves rather than be swept away by them. Find calm in the tides of change. Build the resilience to climb your internal mountains and create a more grounded, empathetic way of relating to yourself and others.
Facilitated by:
Dr. Joan Flora & Dr. Desiree Briel Rodi
Coaches and educators specializing in Emotional Intelligence, Social-Emotional Learning, and Leadership Development.
RSVP for an informational Open House
Serenity Retreat, June 8th, 2024
Serenity Retreat
For some, summer may be a time of serenity. For others, this time of year may be busy with work and kids and feel more chaotic than peaceful. Whether you love summer or dread it, come gather for this half-day retreat, where you will be encouraged to embrace the season with serenity and be given some tips and tools for cultivating peace all summer long!
When: Saturday, June 8, 2024, 9 am – 1 pm
Where: 1205 Kirkland Avenue
Kirkland, WA 98033
What: Yoga
Meditation
Emotional intelligence
Energized your day with nutrition
Cost: $20 – get your ticket here!
Arrive at 9 am for morning snacks, refreshments, and mingling. Yoga will begin promptly at 9:30; please bring a mat! We will conclude with lunch. For a full itinerary, see the ticket link.
Dress code:
Comfortable attire and yoga clothing.
Please bring your own yoga mat.
Lunch menu:
Taco bowls – vegetarian options provided
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Recent Speaking Engagements include:
Introduction to Emotional Intelligence – March 2018, Brentwood Presbyterian Preschool
Kick off the Year with Intention – September 4, 2018, Brentwood Presbyterian Preschool
Handling Conflict and Difficult Conversations – October 26, 2018, Brentwood Presbyterian Preschool offsite
Building Better Outcomes with Emotional Intelligence – November 10, 2018, American Association of University Women, Torrance Chapter
Introduction to EQ and Active Listening (Part 1 of 2) – January 20, 2019, Westwood Presbyterian Church, Faith Conversations
Engaging in Conflict with EQ (Part 2 of 2) – January 27, 2019, Westwood Presbyterian Church, Faith Conversations
Building Connections with EQ – January 29, 2019, Overland Avenue Elementary School (LAUSD)
Challenge the Process – March 4, 2019, Guest Lecturer, Loyola Marymount University
Foundations of Emotional Intelligence – April 4, 2019, State Bar of California
Emotional Wasteland – Tiptoeing Back into the Feeling Zone – April 10, 2019, General Assembly Santa Monica
The Power of EQ in Coaching – May 8, 2019, Teleclass sponsored by ICFLA
Leveraging EQ and Active Listening to Move from the “What” to the “Who” – May 10, 2019, Fielding Graduate University EBC Conference and Alumni Reunion
Self-Awareness: Path to Empathy and Choice – June 20, 2019, State Bar of California
Walking the Walk: Being a Good Neighbor Part I – August 18, 2019, Westwood Presbyterian
Self-Management: The Science of Choice and How to Pause – August 19, 2019, State Bar of California
Walking the Walk: Being a Good Neighbor Part II – August 25, 2019, Westwood Presbyterian
Social Awareness: Reading the Room – September 27, 2019, State Bar of California
Relationship Management: Engaging with Intention – January 9, 2020, State Bar of California
Social Awareness and Relationship Management: Reading the Room & Engaging with Intention – January 29/30, 2020, State Bar of California
Creating and Growing a Strong Family – 2-Day Retreat – February 9th & 10th, 2020, Westwood Presbyterian
ASK ME ANYTHING – FOR PARENTS: WHEN THE WHOLE FAMILY IS WORKING FROM HOME
March 26, 2020 11 am – 12 pm with Mikaela Kiner of Reverb People
Updates coming soon!
Desiree Briel Rodi Consulting & Coaching 