Can You Name What You’re Feeling? Why Emotional Granularity Matters

Approx. 4-minute read

At T2, we’ve always championed the power of people. Now, we’re excited to introduce the newest chapter of our People Performance PodcastThe Leader Lounge, a fresh and focused series hosted by our founder and CEO, Martin Johnson. Short and Snapped episodes packed with impactful insights on leadership, mental agility, self-awareness, and emotional intelligence. But it’s not just for leaders, this series is relevant for anyone looking to improve their personal and professional performance through greater self-understanding.

In the very first episode, Martin explores a concept close to his heart — Emotional Granularity. Drawn from his book I Am Human: Pain and Pleasure, this powerful idea encourages us to identify and articulate our emotions with specificity and clarity, rather than settling for vague feelings like "I feel bad" or "I’m stressed."

Emotional granularity allows us to:

  • Recognise subtle differences between emotions like frustration, anger, sadness, or guilt.

  • Understand whether our discomfort is physical or mental, and whether it relates to past, present, or future concerns.

  • Develop strategies to manage emotions constructively, boosting mental resilience and leadership effectiveness.

Why It Matters for You

Emotional intelligence is no longer optional — it’s critical for high performance, mental wellbeing, and effective leadership. Whether you manage a team or simply want to get better at navigating life’s ups and downs, mastering emotional granularity equips you with the tools to stay composed, confident, and connected.

What to Expect from The Leader Lounge

Each episode will focus on a different theme linked to leadership and human performance, including:

  • Building confidence and self-awareness

  • Managing stress and anxiety through mental agility

  • Understanding brain science and its impact on behaviour

  • Techniques for managing triggers and improving team dynamics

Join Us on This Journey

The Leader Lounge promises to be a refreshing mix of practical advice, scientific insight, and real-world experience — all delivered in a concise, accessible format.

Stay tuned for new episodes and be sure to subscribe on your favourite podcast platform. And if there’s a topic you want us to cover, don’t hesitate to get in touch — we want this series to be as relevant and engaging as possible.

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Leadership Meets Personality: How Your Social Style Shapes Your Leadership Approach