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Harnessing Emotional Intelligence: How Sara Canna Supports Employees and Transforms People’s Lives at the World Health Organization (WHO)

by Maddalena Campitelli

“I used to feel like a victim of my emotions and sometimes I was totally overwhelmed by them, now thanks to emotional intelligence I learned how to listen to myself, be more aware of how I feel and choose how I want to respond at any given moment.” – Sara Canna

Emotional intelligence is more than just a buzzword—it’s a transformative tool that can reshape how we navigate challenges, build relationships, and thrive in demanding environments. Discover how Sara Canna brought EQ to the World Health Organization, empowering employees to manage change, stress, and personal growth.

A Vision Turned Reality: Bringing Emotional Intelligence to the World Health Organization 

The World Health Organization (WHO) is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for international public health leading and championing global efforts to give everyone, everywhere an equal chance to live a healthy life. In 2019, the organization faced major challenges as it restructured around new strategic objectives and went through significant changes. As a Team Lead for Career Management and Development at WHO’s HQ in Geneva, Switzerland, Sara Canna recognized the need for a new approach to help employees navigate these changes and other complex changes. Sara proposed introducing emotional intelligence into the organization, believing it would benefit staff in times of uncertainty and upheaval.
Her breakthrough moment came when the Director-General granted her request to attend a masterclass by Joshua Freedman at Six Seconds, a global leader in EQ development. Inspired by the experience, she presented EQ as a solution to help staff better manage organizational changes resulting from new strategic directives. The Director-General immediately supported the initiative, and the success of the masterclass paved the way for a full-fledged EQ program at WHO <Learn more about all the certifications and assessments Six Seconds offers: specialized emotional intelligence training and tools for everyone!>. Initially, emotional intelligence training was limited to managers and directors as part of a leadership program, but Sara saw the potential for EQ to benefit all employees. She believed that fostering emotional awareness and resilience could help staff cope with stress, improve relationships, and adapt to rapid change. Her efforts culminated in the launch of an EQ course open to the entire organization, now offered on a regular basis, reflecting her belief in the universal value of emotional intelligence and turning her vision into reality.
Sara’s commitment to EQ has led to significant changes within WHO. As an ICF certified coach through Six Seconds’ EQ Coach Certification, Sara leads 1:1 and small group coaching sessions with all levels of employees and teams in the organization. In those sessions, she’s seen firsthand how EQ helps resolve conflicts and fosters healthier, more effective relationships. She recalled one powerful coaching session in particular with a high-level director, struggling with overwhelm and stress from interpersonal conflict on her team. “She began to understand her emotions as valuable information, rather than something to push away or ignore,” Sara says. “And that is a real game changer.”
Emotional intelligence has also proven to be a critical tool in preventing burnout, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic when many employees struggled with their mental well-being.

Sara’s personal EQ journey: From blame to better decision making

For Sara, emotional intelligence has had a profound personal impact. “Before, I felt like a victim of my emotions, carried away and sometimes overwhelmed by them,” she shares. Through EQ, she learned to listen to her emotions and understand the messages they carried. Instead of being controlled by feelings of fear, shame, or guilt, she now views them as valuable information that can guide her in making better decisions. Emotions function to guide us to survive and thrive and therefore, understanding how emotions work empowers you to navigate them more effectively.
In 2022, Sara completed her Six Seconds certifications, advancing all the way to Practitioner level, deepening her expertise in emotional intelligence and reinforcing the importance of EQ in both her personal and professional life <Learn how to become a Certified EQ Practitioner with Six Seconds>. A key element of Sara’s practice she learned across the journey is pausing before reacting—something she believes has empowered her to handle difficult emotions with more awareness <Click here to learn more about Six Second Pause tool>. This self-awareness and emotional regulation tools have improved her overall well-being, both personally and professionally. “Emotional intelligence has helped me find peace in managing difficult emotions through daily practice,” she explains. Sara also introduced mindfulness into her daily routine, finding it to be a natural complement to EQ. The three-minute breath exercise, for instance, has allowed her to step back from stressful situations, giving her the space to process her emotions with more clarity.

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Meet Sara Canna LinkedIn →  

Professional achievements: “I am an HR Development Professional, working for the World Health Organization in Geneva, Switzerland. I have over 20 years’ experience in Global Talent Management and Development within international and multicultural organizational environments; I am a certified ICF coach and career counselor with a specialization in Emotional Intelligence assessment and development with Six Seconds. I am passionate about supporting individuals and teams to enhance their potential by tapping into their inner resources; to develop and grow their knowledge, skills and competencies in order to help them excel in their performance and feel fulfilled and empowered. I have introduced career development in WHO by creating and launching coaching, mentoring, career counseling and emotional intelligence global programmes addressed to all staff members both virtually and face to face. I have supported teams in finding better ways of working together and individuals to reach their next career step.”

Favorite Six Seconds Learning Philosophy: “1, 2, 3, PASTA!” AND “No Way is the Way”

Learn about Six Seconds Learning Philosophy →

Noble Goal: “To ignite beauty in the world and touch people’s hearts with kindness and warmth to generate positive change.”

Learn about Six Seconds Noble Goals →  

Her “Don’t Miss This” Six Seconds tools & courses: The K-C-G Model; the Six Seconds Pause; SEI EQ assessment questionnaire + The EQ Practitioner Certification (EQPC) and the EQ Assessor Certification (EQAC)

Demand for EQ grows at WHO 

The success of emotional intelligence initiatives at WHO has led to increasing requests for EQ Cafés and masterclasses. These interactive sessions help employees understand their emotions better and develop tools to manage stress, anxiety, and other difficult feelings.
In WHO’s highly scientific and data-driven environment, Sara introduced EQ workshops using research and data to ensure credibility. By presenting studies from Six Seconds, WHO, and the World Economic Forum, she was able to demonstrate the real-world impact of emotional intelligence. “I always start with data to frame the conversation,” Sara explains. This strategy has been instrumental in breaking down initial skepticism, especially in a scientific organization like WHO.
Sara’s EQ workshops are widely attended, with some masterclasses attracting up to 500 participants. She sees a growing enthusiasm for emotional intelligence, with participants eager to integrate EQ into their daily lives. The use of Six Seconds tools, including the Six Seconds Model of Emotional Intelligence and the Plutchik Wheel of Emotions, has helped participants develop emotional literacy <Learn how to enhance Emotional Literacy>, further embedding EQ into the organization’s culture.

Not just a skill, but a shared journey

For Sara, emotional intelligence has not only transformed WHO but has also greatly enhanced her personal and professional life. She now feels more in control of her emotions and better equipped to navigate challenges, both at work and in her personal relationships. EQ has allowed her to stop and reflect in moments of stress or frustration, turning potentially difficult interactions into opportunities for growth and understanding.
Even – or especially – in moments of tension with colleagues, Sara applies her EQ skills. She recalls a recent situation where a colleague reacted emotionally to stress and frustration. Instead of reacting immediately, Sara took time to reflect, allowing space for her colleague to take time and de-escalate, and she later apologized and engaged in a productive conversation. This pause in reaction helped them not only repair the relationship but also re-establish respect and co-facilitate two successful workshops together.
Despite her success as a leader in EQ within WHO, Sara remains humble, emphasizing the importance of teamwork and support. She works alongside a cohesive team of four colleagues, one of whom is also a certified EQ coach, providing her with a network of support in her efforts to promote emotional intelligence across the organization.

She feels fortunate to have built an environment where EQ is not only practiced but valued. “I am lucky to feel so supported by my team,” she says, “and that makes a big difference in the work we do. Emotional intelligence is not just a skill but a shared journey.”
As requests for EQ training continue to grow, Sara is optimistic about the future of emotional intelligence within WHO. She believes that emotional intelligence is not just a tool for personal growth but a vital skill for navigating the complexities of modern work and life. “Emotional intelligence has truly improved my quality of life, and I believe it can do the same for others.”

Thank you Sara for sharing your EQ journey with us!

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Want more resources and tools on how to navigate change?

The Inside Path to Change Management
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Navigating Change – Management Essentials
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