Valerie Thompson

I think part of it is always being willing to step outside your comfort zone, because along the way there are so many moments and things you're going to be involved in that don't feel comfortable. For me, and where I tell my team, is the minute you don't feel comfortable is the moment you want to lean in the most, because that means you're learning something new and you're becoming an expert in a new area. I've really learned to lean into those uncomfortable moments and always speak up. I'm also somebody that's always willing to have the challenging and difficult conversations that some people shy away from. I'm not afraid to hear no, because I think people don't do things with the risk of failing or the risk of hearing no. I'm okay with making mistakes because I know that's how I'm going to learn, and we're going to hear a million no's before we have a yes, but don't ever give up. Everybody has the ability to do anything they want to do. It's just remembering you have it, you just have to find what you're good at, and when you know you found your passion, don't give up, just keep going and keep pushing. Let people see you for who you are, not what they hear from you. As women, we have to advocate for ourselves, speak up, and take credit when credit is due. Mentoring and having mentees is another huge role of my success. I'm not afraid to ask somebody, hey, I know I need to get better and I need somebody safe and comfortable to talk to, would you mind helping me get through these situations and be willing to have these uncomfortable conversations.

The best career advice I've received came from my mentors. Lisa Brown, one of my first mentors, let me know that the higher you go up in leadership, the smaller your circle gets. I've always held that very close with me and made sure I pick who I'm vulnerable with and not just vulnerable with everybody. Patty Seagram, our VP of HR at West Bloomfield, always helps mentor me on situations with team members or with other leaders and how to just always stay focused on how I can show up and what I can control. Our new president at our hospital, who has been in the C-suite since she was young, told me that you should always be interviewing. Even if you're not planning on leaving, keep your interview skills precise so you can always have those conversations. She also said you never know when an offer might hit you that you can't refuse. She's helping me realize that I need to continue stepping outside my comfort zone, because West Bloomfield has been such a comfortable spot, and she's encouraging me to just push myself and to continue to do more.

I would tell her to always listen to herself, trust yourself, trust your gut, and believe in yourself. In healthcare, there are a lot of females in leadership, but I think when it gets to the really high executive suites, we still have room to make progress. Don't be afraid to go after your goal because there's always going to be people tearing you down. Keep your circle small and just believe in yourself. Be careful who you trust, because as females we get torn down for everything - how we dress, what we say, what we look like, how we present. As long as you're doing something for the right reasons, you won't go wrong. Don't ever go into anything with bad intent, but if you're doing it for the right reasons, you can't go wrong. So just always assume the best and trust yourself, and find somebody to help advocate for you.