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Anxiety, sadness, anger, and guilt each serve important functions.

Low emotional reactivity can make empathy and connection harder.

Emotional health means listening to emotions, not eliminating them.

Most of us assume that being calm under pressure is always a good thing.

After all, who wouldn't want to be less prone to anxiety, sadness, and emotional ups and downs?

And to some extent, that's true. People who are lower in emotional sensitivity often report less distress and may find it easier to stay composed in stressful situations. But personality traits are not universally good or bad. Every trait comes with strengths and tradeoffs.

In fact, there are times when being too calm can create problems.

Negative emotions may be uncomfortable, but they serve an important purpose. Anxiety helps us prepare for future challenges. Sadness helps us process losses and learn from setbacks. Anger alerts us when we've been treated unfairly. Guilt motivates us to repair relationships when we've caused harm.

When these emotional signals are too faint, it can become harder to recognize the messages they're trying to send.

When Low Emotional Sensitivity Gets in the Way

Take Ethan, a coaching client of mine who prided himself on being unshakable.

He rarely felt nervous before presentations. He didn't........

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