Beyond the Title: 12 Questions with Theola V. Carter, MPA
Theola V. Carter, MPA
Manager of Policy and Program Improvement, Tamara D. Grigsby Dane County Civil Rights Dept.
Theola V. Carter (MA '91) is manager of the Policy and Program Improvement team in Dane County's Tamara D. Grigsby Office for Equity and Inclusion. She also serves or has served on several boards, including but not limited to Dane County Credit Union, Madison TEMPO, City of Madison Affirmative Action Commission, and Girls on the Run of Dane County. Carter, who grew up in Beloit, received her bachelor's degree in history, with an emphasis in English, from Fisk University in Nashville, Tennessee.
01Built to Last starts with a strong foundation. What is the foundation your leadership is built on, and how do you return to it when things get shaky?
Foundationally, this started at home with a mother who invested in me and held me accountable. She always had sayings, whether she was talking to me or reprimanding me, that were planted and took the form of understanding as I grew older and experienced life. She took us to church and to biblical teaching and principles. This has made me a well-rounded and compassionate leader.
As a leader, I know life has trials and tribulations, and it is important to reach people where they are and help pull them along. It is important to reach back and help someone or mentor. It is important to allow people to fly out of the nest and make mistakes without pointing blame, and to let them learn from those mistakes. It is good to listen with understanding and allow people to help be the solution and identify options.
But most importantly, in doing all that is good, take care of your health, mentally and physically. You can't help anyone if your well-being is in jeopardy.
02Where do you come from, and how do your roots keep you steady when leadership gets hard?
I grew up mainly in Beloit. My roots keep me steady because I know where my strength and joy come from. For me, that is being rooted and grounded in the gospel. Things may get hard sometimes, but I am just like that tree planted by the rivers of water. The wind blows, the leaves and branches swing, and the tree may even bend, but because its roots are as deep as the tree you see in front of you, the tree is able to snap back and continue to grow branches and sprout leaves and allow the life cycle to continue.
03What's a piece of advice that has stood the test of time for you, the kind you still come back to years later?
Being honest with myself and others. Knowing when to say stop, no, or I can't is a beautiful thing. As I have told staff and my daughter, if you wake up in the morning and think to yourself, “I can't stand the people I work with,” or going to your office makes you ill, it is time for a new job, and don't let it get that far before making that move.
04What's a book, quote, lyric, or scripture that has stayed with you and shaped how you lead or live?
The book is the Bible, and the quotes are so many, but a couple would include: “To whom much is given, much is required.” “Endure hardness like a good soldier.” “To everything there is a season.” And “weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.”
05What's something you've had to rebuild after it broke or fell apart, and what did that teach you about building things that last?
Rebuild, or rather, remember to endure, when I lost a couple of siblings. It taught me to press on when I did not feel I could, and to depend on God even more for guidance and strength, because nobody told me the road would be easy, but I don't believe God brought me this far to leave me.
06What's one question every leader should ask if they want to build something that outlasts them, and why?
Am I doing what God has for me to do, or am I operating out of self? I am fulfilling that purpose and working toward the completion of my assignment in life.
07Who are you actively preparing to carry this work forward, and what are you doing to set them up to succeed without you?
Family, and anyone who comes to ask, “What did I do? Did I ever think...? What would I change or do over again? How did I avoid certain pitfalls?” I always temper that with a good word.
08When leadership feels heavy, what do you turn to (music, travel, culture, faith) that restores you and keeps you feeling like yourself?
I enjoy a good spa day and talking to someone I know who has more than common sense. I also enjoy good old gospel music, the music that just touches your soul, not the contemporary Christian music. A good workout helps as well.
09When you think about the legacy you want to leave, what do you hope still stands long after you've moved on?
No matter what someone tries to put in your way or tell you that you can't do, consult the One who created the land and sea, and push forward. Don't faint, but get in the press.
10What's a small daily habit or discipline that has compounded into something meaningful over time?
Prayer in the morning and reflection in the evening. This helps me organize my day.
11What's a moment in your life where the music playing in the background ended up meaning more than you expected, a song that showed up right when you needed it, or made an ordinary moment stick with you?
Music is something I enjoy, but it's when I am thinking and God puts the right song on my heart to keep me going. There have been many times, too many to name. But I will say that Thomas Whitfield's 1992 album, Precious Jesus / Overture of Worship, has taken me through many things.
12What's a tradition in your life or family that you hope lasts for generations?
Prayer and faith in God. In Him we live, move, and have our being.