Be You!

Posted on February 13, 2024 by Anne Williams, One of Thousands of Executive Coaches on Noomii.

“Be You! We’ve heard this phrase echoed in various brand campaigns over the years – Nike’s “Be You,” Lenovo’s “Just Be You,” Jabong’s “Be Unapologetically You,” and Go Healthy’s “Just Be You” are just a few examples.

But what does it truly mean? Is it even feasible? From the pressure to outperform “Sharma ji ke bacche” in school to the scrutiny of our career choices compared to relatives’, the expectation to conform follows us into adulthood. Even in the workplace, we’re subject to constant comparison and critique from peers and managers alike – from the appropriateness of attire to the style of our hair.

I’ve always been the odd one out. I barely scraped by in school, even failing math once. My managers constantly remind me to improve my organizational skills, but I’ve learned to embrace my quirks. I married at 40 simply because I refused to let one man monopolize happiness. My children have fur, feathers, fins, or scales – and literally sell tickets for weekends if you want to meet them! My hairstyle has seen every iteration from long to pixie, perm to straight, red to blonde, and now braids – much to my stylist’s delight and creative freedom.

Where does this leave me? Surprisingly content. For every smile I receive, there’s an equal number of raised eyebrows – but I’ve learned to care less about aligning with others’ expectations. After all, there are countless perspectives on any given situation, and you’ll never please everyone. Make your own choices, trust your instincts, and answer only to yourself. Celebrate your successes, learn from your failures, and above all, “Be authentic and be unapologetically you!”