Six Seconds leading global change through emotional intelligence
- Ahmed Toure
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
In a world where emotional intelligence is increasingly seen as vital to both professional performance and personal well-being, Six Seconds has emerged as the most extensive network dedicated to this science. Founded in the late 1990s, the organisation was born from the pioneering Self Science model of social-emotional learning developed at Nueva School in California. Since then, it has grown into a global community working to integrate emotional intelligence into business, education, and daily life.
The organisation’s ambitious vision is to train one billion people in social-emotional skills, a target that speaks to both the urgency and the scale of the challenge. From workplaces struggling with burnout and transformation, to schools navigating the social complexities of young generations, the capacity to understand and manage emotions is no longer optional. It is a fundamental skill set for a sustainable and resilient society.
Science, business, and education aligned
Six Seconds combines scientific research with practical application. Its proprietary SEI Assessment, recognised by the Consortium for Research on Emotional Intelligence in Organisations (CREIO), is widely used to evaluate competencies critical for leadership, adaptability, and collaboration. In the business sector, through EQ Biz, the network works with organisations to align performance and well-being, helping leaders and teams navigate innovation, change, and culture shifts without losing human focus.
In education, its programmes are embedded in schools across the world, offering evidence-based social-emotional learning (SEL) tools. The SEI Youth Assessment has been recommended by CASEL and RAND, underlining its reliability and impact. Partnerships with universities such as Columbia and Antioch extend this expertise into higher education, where managers and educators are trained to weave emotional intelligence into the fabric of institutional leadership.
Global partnerships and local action
The organisation operates through a strong collaborative model. It is an accredited partner of the International Coaching Federation and the Society of Human Resource Management, and in Italy it works closely with Confindustria’s Assoknowledge and EMCC Italy. At the academic level, recent agreements with the University of Bologna and the Polytechnic University of Turin aim to deepen research into socio-emotional competencies within education, healthcare, and social policy.
Such collaborations are not only symbolic, they are practical responses to growing societal needs. With the World Health Organization noting that mental health conditions could cost the global economy $16 trillion by 2030, the demand for effective, science-driven interventions is acute. Emotional intelligence, as Six Seconds argues, is one of the most measurable and scalable tools to address this.
Climate of emotions youth-led resilience activation
Beyond corporate and academic initiatives, Six Seconds is also weaving its expertise into global climate dialogue. On 22 September 2025, during NYC Climate Week, the organisation will host Climate of Emotions: Youth-Led Resilience Activation at 15W 36th Street. This immersive gathering blends music, storytelling, and emotional intelligence training to help participants transform climate burnout into purpose and action.
The event is designed as an intergenerational experience, led by youth changemakers. Highlights include Story Exchange Circles with Narrative 4 to cultivate empathy, a Creative Expression Lab with artist Tammi Sakurai, and resilience-building activities that channel emotions into renewable energy for change. Participants will also contribute to a global study on emotional resilience, linking inner well-being to long-term sustainability.
A preview of the event’s spirit and atmosphere can be seen in this short film. Registration is open at Climate Week NYC.
Towards sustainable performance
The Six Seconds approach rests on a critical balance: performance must go hand in hand with well-being. In a corporate context, this means cultivating leadership and decision-making practices that avoid short-term gains at the expense of long-term health. In education, it means embedding SEL into everyday curricula so that future generations learn resilience alongside academic knowledge.
By training leaders, teams, parents, and children to apply emotional intelligence, the organisation aims not only to improve individual lives but also to address broader social goals aligned with sustainable development. Emotional intelligence is framed not as a luxury soft skill, but as an essential capacity for societies facing complex challenges, from climate transition to digital transformation.
Further information about Six Seconds and its global initiatives can be found at 6seconds.org, including case studies, research reports, and opportunities for professional training.
Youtube credits: https://www.youtube.com/@SixSeconds
