We grow up hearing a lot about emotions, “boys don’t cry”, “suck it up” “get a grip” “look on the bright side” “pull your socks up”and numerous other sayings that encourage us to “put up or shut up” and avoid expressing “negative” emotions. No doubt the intention behind these sayings is well-meaning – an attempt to encourage us to be happy and positive, but actually, messages that encourage us to hide, suppress, avoid or judge our emotions are downright dangerous. Misconceptions about emotions are the primary obstacle to developing emotional intelligence.