Collaborate
From Teamwork to Leadership
Gospel Insight
Lead with humility, contribute with care.
President Henry B. Eyring—former commissioner of Church Education and a trained economist—once described how his early experiences at Harvard and Stanford shaped his approach to collaborative communication.
As a professor leading case discussions, he noticed two kinds of students:
- Some were motivated by personal ego. They raised their hands constantly, hoping to impress the professor with pre-planned remarks—more concerned with being seen than with helping the group learn.
- Others were focused on the progress of the discussion. These students listened deeply and contributed strategically. They sensed when to move the conversation forward or steer it when it veered off track. President Eyring called these students “vital allies.”
Later, as a member of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, he sought to emulate these thoughtful communicators. He described the difficult but necessary process of tempering his own pride of authorship—the strong attachment we sometimes feel to our own ideas simply because they’re ours.
“As much as possible, [President Eyring] wanted to [share] his unique ideas [with his Quorum] in ways that would help unify, rather than divide.”
He learned that pride of authorship can cloud judgment. It can make us resistant to feedback or blind to better ideas—not because they’re wrong, but because they aren’t ours. When unchecked, it becomes a source of bias that undermines collaboration and obstructs inspiration.
In contrast, he marveled at the spirit of unity he experienced in Church councils:
“There was a frank discussion, complete candor, but it was always with a feeling that the purpose was to get revelation.”
When one person raised a concern in an otherwise unanimous decision, President Harold B. Lee stopped the group:
“He just said, ‘Oh, there’s something we haven’t thought of. Let’s hold off.’ That’s different from the world. That’s Zion.”
Your ideas matter—but humility matters more. When you speak to build rather than impress, when you let go of ego and embrace shared insight, you create not just a successful project, but a Zion-like team.
Project Roadmap
You are now transitioning from solo work to team collaboration. Over the next few weeks, you will work with a group to produce a professional-level Team Business Case, evaluating, researching, solving a business problem, and presenting a professional recommendation.
Final deliverables will include:
- A professional executive summary
- A slide deck designed for a professional setting
- A team oral presentation to hypothetical stakeholders
In addition, your instructor will choose two of the following assignments:
- Team charter
- Team meeting with virtual notes
- Team meeting with professor
This lesson is about organizing your team. Future lessons will guide you through executive summary writing, slide deck design, and presentation delivery. For now, focus on collaboration—how you communicate, include each other, and begin building trust.
Videos on collaboration
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Toggle ItemHearts Knit in Righteousness and Unity | Quentin L. Cook
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Toggle ItemUnity Requires Effort | Dale G. Renlund
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Toggle ItemAre you a giver or a taker? | Adam Grant
Read the Textbook Chapter
Describe the stages of team development (Forming, Storming, Norming, Performing) and apply them to collaborative projects.
Create and implement a team charter that clarifies roles, expectations, and communication norms.
Navigate conflict constructively using empathetic communication and structured dialogue.
Facilitate and contribute to effective team meetings, both in-person and virtually, using agendas, roles, and follow-ups.
Use digital collaboration tools (e.g., Slack, Trello, Teams, Google Docs) with clarity, professionalism, and purpose.
Reflect on team experiences to improve future collaborative performance and leadership capacity.
1. Disciplinary Writing (indirectly through team documents and meeting agendas) ✅ Moderate alignment
Reinforces audience awareness, tone, and structure through group charters, written feedback, and documentation from meetings.
4. Oral Communication ✅ Strong alignment
Provides explicit instruction and practice in team-based oral communication, including virtual meeting etiquette, team presentations, and real-time collaboration.
3. Writing Processes ✅ Moderate alignment
Includes planning, group feedback, and iterative communication design in group contexts.
Mission Alignment ✅ Strong alignment
Builds collaborative leadership skills rooted in empathy, organization, and professionalism.
Prepares students to serve others by fostering inclusive dialogue, resolving conflict constructively, and leading team processes with respect and clarity.
Vision Alignment ✅ Strong alignment
Models and teaches communication practices grounded in Christlike attributes such as humility, listening, mutual respect, and stewardship of group purpose.
Reminds students that transformational leadership begins with how we speak, listen, and work together—even in routine team settings.
Values Alignment
Faith in Christ ✅ Encourages respectful, uplifting interactions and unity in diversity.
Integrity in Action ✅ Promotes trust-building through honest communication and accountability.
Respect for All ✅ Emphasizes inclusive team dynamics and listening to all voices.
Excellence ✅ Reinforces high standards in collaborative tools, meetings, and team performance.
This lesson centers on students by treating them not just as learners but as emerging leaders within their teams. It equips them with practical tools—like team charters, conflict frameworks, and meeting strategies—that elevate their ability to lead collaboratively and inclusively. It respects their lived experience in group work while preparing them to lead with professionalism, clarity, and compassion in any team environment.