How Emotional Intelligence Creates Transformation: A Research-Backed Theory of Change

Professionals in coaching, training, and learning & development aspire to spark visible, lasting change. A robust Theory of Change provides a structure to make our work effective and scalable.

by Joshua Freedman

Six Seconds’ Theory of Change is:

By developing and practicing emotional intelligence, individuals increase the awareness and skills needed to create better results personally and professionally. In turn, as individuals practice emotional intelligence themselves and integrate this practice into their daily life and work, they become effective at supporting others to do the same. This creates a ripple effect in organizations, families, and communities leading to sustainable high performance.

To validate this theory, we conducted a study called, “The Journey of EQ” to assess the process of learning and integrating emotional intelligence. The result is a structured, research-backed approach to emotional intelligence (EQ) that enhances effectiveness, strengthens relationships, and improves wellbeing — and organizational effectiveness.

By leveraging this framework, emotional intelligence goes beyond a skill—it becomes a process of transformation that allows practitioners to guide their clients to more efficient and effective results.

by practicing EQ, “I can change me, I can change my organization and I can help change the world.”

 

The Case for Emotional Intelligence: Building Blocks for Professional and Personal Outcomes

A growing body of research illustrates that emotional intelligence is directly linked to personal and professional success. For example,

  • The State of the Heart research, analyzing data from 139 countries, finds that individuals with higher EQ experience greater effectiveness, stronger relationships, and higher overall wellbeing.
  • Neuroscience research shows that emotions drive decision-making, performance, and behavior.
  • The Business Case for EQ documents strong correlations between emotional intelligence, leadership, retention, sales and overall performance.

The benefits of emotional intelligence are increasingly clear; the question remains: What’s the right way to implement EQ to generate these results?

To answer, we conducted a study called The Journey of EQ (get the report by filling in the form to the right).

 

Download the full Journey of EQ report by filling in the form below – the PDF of the full report will arrive via email in a few seconds:

The Practitioner’s Journey: How EQ Development Works

To validate the Theory of Change, the “Journey of EQ” study asked people to share the steps of how they developed and applied emotional intelligence. Based on over 1,000 responses, the research reinforces the value of emotional intelligence as a practice leading to transformation; as one respondent wrote: “EQ has given me joy, freedom, global connection, and the responsibility to live my life and work with deep understanding, intentional and empathic action to make a better world.”

The study found that this journey follows five key stages:

  1. Discovery – An initial “Aha!” moment where individuals realize that emotions shape their actions and outcomes.
  2. A Path Calls – A commitment to personal growth, recognizing that EQ is necessary to create meaningful change.
  3. Practicing – Daily application of EQ skills, leading to noticeable shifts in behavior and decision-making.
  4. Expanding – Integrating EQ into leadership and professional roles, supporting others in their growth.
  5. Integrating – Emotional intelligence becomes second nature, shaping leadership, relationships, and purpose-driven action.

EQ has given me joy, freedom, global connection, and the responsibility to live my life and work with deep understanding, intentional and empathic action to make a better world.

The study reinforces the value of the premise that: All change starts on the inside. For example, one respondent said that by practicing EQ, “I can change me, I can change my organization and I can help change the world.”

This research-based pathway helps practitioners in two ways: first, for ourselves to consider how to integrate EQ in our own lives. Second, to understand where our clients are and how to guide them forward.

→ Download the research report on the form above

Real-World Impact: The Ripple Effect of EQ in Action

Six Seconds’ Theory of Change is validated by real-world case studies showing how EQ practice leads to measurable outcomes. Three examples:

  • UCB Pharma: Leaders received EQ training and started practicing emotional intelligence themselves. Their new skills let them create conditions for their teams to be more effective. As a result, the company improved customer experience and trust with the brand (Read more).
  • Kuehne-Nagel: EQ training for the leadership team at this global logistics led to increased competence. This led to improvements in the company culture with greater empathy, trust, and collaboration. As a result, stakeholders/owners saw measurable improvements in business performance (Read more).
  • A personal example is the story of Wangxianqing, an entrepreneur and educator in China. Those of us who got to know her before her untimely death saw her as a role model of the Theory of Change: As she integrated EQ into her own life, she became a radiant ambassador for emotional intelligence; at Six Seconds’ conferences in China, members of the community would run across the room to greet her. As she became more confident, it led her to train kindergarten teachers to practice emotional intelligence. As a result, thousands of children and families in her network of schools developed more positive relationships and greater ability to handle emotions.

Why This Matters for Practitioners

For professionals in coaching, training, and education, the question is: Why invest in Six Seconds’ approach to EQ?

  1. High ROI – EQ skills enhance professional effectiveness, making coaching and training more impactful.
  2. Proven, research-backed framework – Six Seconds’ methodology is data-driven and globally tested.
  3. Amplifying impact – Beyond individual success, EQ creates positive ripple effects that transform teams, organizations, and communities.

For those looking to make a measurable, lasting impact, Six Seconds’ Theory of Change provides a structured pathway that turns emotional intelligence into practical, applied success.

 

Download your copy of the Theory of Change research

The First Step Starts With You

Remember, all change starts on the inside. When you commit to practicing emotional intelligence yourself, you change the way you engage with the people around you; as a result, you build more trust to influence more effectively, which leads to healthier relationships, stronger wellbeing, and increased performance. The ripple effect can be tremendous; the first step is to develop and practice emotional intelligence yourself.

 

For more articles, I recommend:

Plutchik’s Wheel of Emotions: Feelings Wheel

Practicing EQ eBook

Emotional Intelligence

Joshua Freedman
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