The Power of Collaboration: Lessons I Learned from Letting Go

I was the kid who always asked to do group projects alone. I loved having full creative control, free from the risk of personalities clashing or ideas getting lost in translation. After all, if you want something done right, you have to do it yourself. This philosophy served me well—until that is, I discovered just what I was missing out on.

Not long ago, I found myself in a public relations strategy class where group work wasn’t optional. My team was tasked with creating a comprehensive campaign for a local nonprofit. As the group divided roles, I felt my old instincts creeping in. I wanted to take charge, to ensure everything was cohesive and up to my standards. But there were five of us, and I couldn’t possibly do it all. Reluctantly, I let go.

What happened next surprised me. One team member, a natural researcher, shared insights I would’ve never come up with. Another had background knowledge that was worth its weight in gold. And yet another member, who initially seemed reserved, ended up delivering a presentation so compelling it blew us away. I realized that my independent mindset had blinded me to the brilliance of others. The campaign was a success—not because of me, but because of us.

Soon after this experience, I found myself in Chicago for a field trip with the NMGZ community. I spent the week surrounded by others with different backgrounds, beliefs, and passions. This trip was jam-packed with opportunities for collaboration and I was inspired by the diversity around me. By collaborating with my new friends, my heart and eyes were opened to new perspectives and ideas.

These experiences taught me two powerful truths about collaboration. First, it’s not about giving up control—it’s about gaining perspectives. Everyone has blind spots, and collaboration fills them in ways you can’t on your own. Second, collaboration doesn’t dilute creativity; it amplifies it. Diverse ideas spark innovation, creating results that exceed the sum of their parts.

Whether in school, work, or personal relationships, collaboration isn’t always easy. It requires vulnerability, patience, and the willingness to trust others. But when you embrace it, you open yourself up to possibilities far greater than what you could achieve alone.

If I could talk to the younger me, I would tell her that the best work doesn’t come from one person doing everything. It comes from many people doing their best together. Collaboration is a superpower that allows you to be better than you could be on your own.