Upcoming engagements:
RSVP for an Open House or Studio Practice by clicking here.
The Art of Approachability: Build Bridges, Create Connections, Unlock Possibilities
Speaker: Elena Sarango-Muniz, PCC
Host: Desiree Briel Rodi, Ph.D., ACC
Date: Tuesday, April 28, 2026
Time: 11:00 am – 12:30 pm Pacific Time
CCEs: 1.0 Core Competency & 0.5 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
Approachability isn’t a soft skill, it’s a strategic lever that determines whether employees raise issues early or stay silent until they escalate. In this 90-minute, highly interactive workshop, the audience will use the BRIDGE framework (Being, Relating, Influencing, Deciding, Growing, Embodying) to diagnose real approachability gaps and practice behaviors that increase psychological safety without sacrificing authority. Participants leave with a practical BRIDGE action plan, ready to use language, and repeatable exercises they can teach other leaders to improve the culture of their organizations.
Key Takeaways:
- Understand the correlation between the approachability factor and emotional intelligence (EQ) by exploring together the BRIDGE framework (Being, Relating, Deciding, Growing, Embodying).
- Identify, through engaging exercises, observable leader behaviors – and our own – that either increase or reduce psychological safety.
- Practice tools and techniques we can apply personally and with our clients, to develop approachability in the workplace, creating spaces where people want to belong to.
About Elena Sarango-Muniz
Elena Sarango-Muñiz, ACC, Executive Coach & Emotional Intelligence Practitioner is the founder of of Sarango Executive Coaching. She transforms leadership by making emotional intelligence practical and measurable. With 25+ years leading HR at global enterprises, including Aspen Technology, Lloyd’s Register, and CITGO Petroleum, she now coaches senior executives to build high-performing, engaged teams through proven EQ methodologies. Website
About Desiree Briel Rodi
Desiree Briel Rodi is an ACC-certified coach who harnesses the power of Emotional Intelligence to drive awareness, action, and accountability. She has worked in higher education administration, non-profit management, and people & business strategy. Desiree holds a B.A. in Art and American Studies from Yale University; an MBA from Seattle University, where she has assisted with graduate leadership courses; a Certificate in Evidence-Based Coaching; and an M.A. in Organizational Development and Change from Fielding Graduate University, where she recently earned her Ph.D. LinkedIn
Resolving Emotional Reactivity
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
~
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 