Founders

Investors that have been the most helpful have also been the most direct. Things we heard and agreed with:

1. You don't need to raise that much.
2. Don't dilute yourself any more.
3. The economics don't make sense after X on Y valuation.
4. We don't care who you raised with before.
5. You should run lean.

Thankfully haven't met with many of these absent investors. Seems like they self-select.

the opposite is also true

the investors who are the least helpful are often the least direct, and they will tell you the opposite of things you listed here

This is the kind of honesty that actually helps founders grow. 

Direct > diplomatic when it comes to building something real. Would take this over vague encouragement any day.

All of these are correct. I will add one more thing: don't expect results in the short term. It takes time to bear fruit.

Real ones tell you what you need to hear, not what you want to hear