Women's Leadership Program Alumni Spotlight: Tera Haalland, CPA
INTERVIEW WITH Women’s Leadership ALUMNUS
Meet Tera Haalland, CPA. She is a certified public accountant with Coteau Properties Company Freedom Mine. In 2019, she was in our Women’s Leadership Program (WLP) in Bismarck. We caught up with her to ask her how she is leading now.
Why did you join WLP?
It was a program that focused on multiple facets that make a great leader. Each session focused on a different aspect of being a good leader, and that was very appealing.
What does "true leadership" mean to you?
Leadership is providing the necessary tools to those who work with and for you. Whether it's leading by example or simply removing obstacles to ensure people can effectively do their jobs, true leadership is achieved through honesty and by being respectful.
How have you grown since graduation?
I have grown by being more open to opportunities at work outside my current department. While it is hard to step out of our comfort zones, I think it's absolutely necessary if we want to grow as people and professionals. I also am trying to give trust freely vs. making people earn my trust. That lesson was a challenge for me, but I believe if I consistently work on it, eventually, it will become a habit.
How can your fellow WLP Alumni support you?
I appreciate outreach, being informed of training programs and events that are in the area. I do not live in the Bismarck area, so I am not as connected as others that do live there. I know that there are many events available to me, which I would not otherwise find out about if people were not letting me know.
What are three lessons you learned from WLP?
Try to be more aware of different perspectives. Sometimes we are only able to see things from our own perspective, but being open to others' perspectives can help us to be better leaders.
In order to grow, we need to step out of our comfort zones - and be intentional about it.
Trust is paramount when it comes to leadership. You cannot effectively lead a team if there is a lack of trust.
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Applications are open for the 2021 Fargo and Bismarck-Mandan Women’s Leadership Programs. The six-month course will equip you to take your leadership skills to the next level and will introduce you to movers and shakers in your community. Check it out.