“Be yourself.” We’ve all heard it, and most of us have said it. But let’s be honest: it’s vague, unhelpful, and often a cop-out masquerading as support. In this episode, we break down why this popular phrase fails the people who need real guidance and why it can actively stunt growth when someone is asking for clarity or confidence.

We share personal stories of receiving this advice, the moments we’ve unintentionally given it, and what was actually needed in those situations. Then we get practical:

• How to replace “be yourself” with coaching that actually moves someone forward

• How to ask clarifying questions that surface real strengths and blind spots

• How to push past generic encouragement and give feedback people can use tomorrow

• What to do when you are the one hearing “just be yourself” before a big moment

If you want to support people with more intention, or you’re tired of getting vague advice when you need something actionable, this episode gives you the tools and language to do better.