When Alyssa Alillana, Certified Human Resource Professional, first entered the world of human resources, it wasn’t part of a long-term plan.
“I actually took the job just to save enough money for med school,” she told Financial Adviser PH. “HR wasn’t the goal—but it became something I fell in love with.”
Years later, Alyssa isn’t wearing a white coat, but she is leading HR operations across three hotel branches—a role that demands emotional intelligence, organizational clarity, and leadership grounded in empathy.
At the center of her management style is one powerful mindset: “Assist, don’t insist.”
“That phrase came from one of my internship mentors, and it stuck with me,” she said. “You can’t expect everything to go your way. Instead of forcing solutions, you look at how to genuinely help people move forward.”
From Clerk to Leader: A Career That Wasn’t Supposed to Happen
After graduating with a degree in Psychology—majoring in research and measurements—Alyssa viewed her first HR role as temporary. She started as an HR clerk in a retail company, screening applicants and sourcing talent.
But when she moved into the hotel industry, everything changed.
“I was given the chance to wear two hats—HR Assistant and Executive Assistant to the General Manager,” she said. “It was challenging, but it gave me access to both front-line operations and executive-level decision-making.”
That dual role became the foundation of her leadership style. She learned to manage people while also seeing how HR strategy connects to business goals. When the hotel expanded to multiple branches, Alyssa was promoted to head the HR department.
“It was never in the plan,” she said. “But I found purpose in supporting employees, building culture, and seeing how HR can really shape an organization.”
Her Leadership Style Is All About Support, Not Control
Alyssa believes that the best leaders don’t impose—they empower. The principle of assist, don’t insist shows up in everything from how she manages conflict to how she trains junior team members.
“I always ask myself: Am I helping this person grow, or am I just trying to make things easier for me?” she said. “Real leadership is about adding value.”
In a field often seen as rule-driven and policy-heavy, Alyssa stands out for her people-first, psychology-informed approach. She says her background taught her to listen deeply, resolve with compassion, and build systems that support—not just enforce—performance.
The Unexpected Lesson That Still Guides Her Today
For Alyssa, HR became more than a job—it became a calling. And her favorite leadership lesson didn’t come from a book or seminar. It came from a mentor who encouraged her to lead with empathy.
“That phrase—assist, don’t insist—has shaped everything,” she said. “Because in HR, it’s not just about managing people. It’s about helping them become the best version of themselves.”
