Week 7: The Power of Collaboration

Gathering type: Large Group, IN-PERSON

Podcast: TED and Andy Stanley Leadership

Podcast Episode: “How To Turn A Group Of Strangers Into A Team,” “Culture of Collaboration, Part 1,” and “Culture of Collaboration, Part 2”

Description: Leaders discuss how collaboration across gifts and disciplines leads to healthier organizations. 

Discussion Questions:

1. How did the idea of "teaming" (vs "teamwork") resonate with you and where to you find yourself "teaming" in your own life?
2. What example of collaboration has inspired you?
3. Which of Andy's six practices stood out most to you and why?
4. How can you encourage cross-team collaboration?
5. What is one collaborative effort you can initiate?

Required Reading: Good To Great, Chapter 7

1. Technology as an accelerator—not a creator

   Technology doesn’t create momentum; it amplifies what already exists.

   Discuss: Where have you seen people or organizations expect technology to solve deeper leadership, culture, or mission problems? Why doesn’t that usually work?

2. Chasing trends vs. staying focused

   Great organizations don’t react impulsively to every innovation.

   Discuss: How do leaders discern the difference between a helpful innovation and a distracting trend? What makes that difficult in ministry culture today?

3. Does this actually support the mission?

   Technology should reinforce the Hedgehog Concept.

   Discuss: What criteria should a church or ministry use before adopting a new technology, strategy, or platform? What questions should leaders ask first?

4. Fear of falling behind

   Collins notes that great companies weren’t driven by fear.

   Discuss: How much of modern leadership decision-making is driven by conviction versus fear of becoming irrelevant, outdated, or left behind?

5. The human side of leadership

   Technology can scale communication, but not necessarily discipleship or trust.

   Discuss: What are some aspects of leadership, discipleship, or ministry that technology can enhance but never replace? Why is it important to remember that?