Name: Allison Lam
Title & Organization: Executive Director, Health Care Services, Alameda Alliance for Health
Describe your CAHL Formal Mentor program cohort experience.
It was my pleasure to serve as a mentor for this cohort. CAHL did an excellent job creating a structure for the mentor-mentee relationship, starting with spending intentional time with each mentor and mentee to understand their respective goals for participating in the program. Because of this intentionality, I was matched perfectly with a mentee – from the first meeting, conversations flowed organically and we discovered we shared many of the same leadership strengths and struggles! It was validating and encouraging to hear each others’ leadership journey, and the mutual respect for each others’ experiences allowed a natural sharing of ideas and recommendations to spur each other towards growth.
What has been your most valuable takeaway or learning from the experience?
Healthcare leadership can be a lonely place, especially when leading teams through times of change and uncertainty. CAHL’s mentor program reminded me that leadership doesn’t have to be a lonely place, and we can choose to come together and support each other. Making that choice takes courage, vulnerability, and sometimes, sacrifice, but when leaders choose to come together to learn from and uplift each other, we only make the healthcare system stronger – and this translates into better care for those we all want to serve.
What professional career advice that you provided your Mentee and resonated with you that has the most influential impact on their career journey?
I passed on some words of wisdom that were once shared to me from my mentor: Do not be afraid to ask others for support – if you don’t ask for support, you may be robbing someone of an opportunity to serve you. There are many individuals who are happy and willing to share wisdom and advice (especially those who are a little further along in their healthcare leadership journey). My mentor told me it brought her joy to see her life experiences valued and passed on to the next generation of leaders. So, ask for help, seek wise counsel – allow the legacy of the leaders before us, to continue through you!!
Was a blind spot discovered in your Mentee’s leadership strategy that you helped identify and provide guidance to overcome?
I wouldn’t call it a blind spot; perhaps a needed affirmation and encouragement to continue pursuing growth in the ways she was already doing. As a person looking for growth, it can be discouraging to be met by roadblock after roadblock. You start doubting your knowledge and expertise, your confidence gets shaken, and sometimes, you start questioning your value. It is in those places where mentorship, and ultimately, sponsorship become all the more important – you need someone in your corner, cheering you on and reminding you of all that you bring to the table. This is what gets you through the many, many “no’s,” as you wait for the right “YES” to come along.
What advice would you provide to others interested in participating in the CAHL Mentor Program, and what benefits would you highlight?
For those who are looking for mentors (regardless of the season of leadership you’re in), mentorship is only as good as the effort and action you put into it. If you’re serious about growth, open to new perspectives, and committed to taking action (even if that action requires you to step outside of your comfort zone), then sign-up now!
For those who are looking to be mentors, we need you – we need your experience; we need your wisdom. Our next generation of leaders are stepping into a healthcare landscape full of innovation and new opportunity (think AI), but the fundamental grit and resilience required to lead in this environment is a practice that is only developed through time and wise guidance. As a mentor, you have an opportunity to pour into those who are ready to receive that guidance; there is nothing more satisfying!