“I admire them a lot. They have such a powerful way of communicating effectively. Their classes helped me understand how communication can truly strengthen leadership.”
— Andrea Marquez (Venezuela)

“I love the way they combine leadership principles with communication skills. Their examples were practical, inspiring, and easy to apply in real life.”
— Elsy Garcia (El Salvador)

“They gave me a sense of trust from the very beginning. Their experience, humility, and genuine interest in the students made the classes engaging and meaningful.”
— Joao de Araujo (Brazil)

Communication Is More Than Just Talking

Communication shapes almost every aspect of our lives.

We communicate when we speak with friends, send emails, participate in meetings, post on social media, or even listen to someone share a challenge. Yet communication is not simply about exchanging information. Effective communication creates understanding, builds trust, and strengthens relationships.

That was the message Gary and Teri McIver brought to Cumorah Academy.

During their time with students, they challenged a common assumption: just because we communicate every day does not mean we communicate well. Through practical examples, thoughtful discussions, and years of personal experience, they helped students examine how they connect with others and how they can become more effective leaders through better communication.

Communication is one of the most important leadership skills a person can develop.

The impact was immediate. Students left the classes with new perspectives on leadership, relationships, and personal growth. More importantly, they gained tools they could apply in everyday life.

A Lifetime of Experience and Service

Gary and Teri McIver bring decades of professional, family, and humanitarian experience to every classroom they enter.

The couple lives in Eagle, Idaho, and has built a rich family legacy with four children, sixteen grandchildren, and two great-grandchildren. Both attended Brigham Young University, where Gary earned a degree in Accounting and Teri pursued studies in Dance.

Throughout Gary’s professional career, the McIvers lived in several locations across the United States and Asia, including Arizona, New Mexico, Colorado, Japan, and Hong Kong. These experiences exposed them to different cultures, perspectives, and communication styles.

Their commitment to service also extends far beyond their professional lives. They served a humanitarian mission in the Philippines, where they managed a wheelchair program that blessed countless lives. Today, they continue serving in the Meridian Idaho Temple and as JustServe specialists in their local congregation.

Their lessons come from decades of real-world experience, not just theory.

This combination of global experience, service, and leadership gives the McIvers a unique perspective. Their insights reflect a lifetime of learning how to connect with people from different backgrounds and circumstances.

Bridging the Gap Between Generations

One of the most impactful topics the McIvers taught focused on intergenerational communication.

Today’s world brings together people from multiple generations in schools, workplaces, families, and communities. Each generation grows up with different experiences, technologies, and cultural influences. As a result, they often communicate differently and approach problems from unique perspectives.

Rather than seeing these differences as obstacles, the McIvers encouraged students to view them as opportunities.

They taught that effective communicators seek understanding before trying to be understood. They listen actively and ask thoughtful questions. Also, they adapt their communication style based on the person in front of them.

The best communicators do not demand understanding. They first strive to understand others.

For students preparing to lead in an increasingly connected world, this lesson was highly valuable. Whether working with colleagues, mentors, clients, or family members, the ability to bridge generational differences creates stronger relationships and more effective collaboration.

Leadership begins with understanding people. Communication makes that understanding possible.

Recognizing the Hidden Barriers to Understanding

The McIvers also explored another challenge that affects communication: bias.

Every person interprets information through personal experiences, assumptions, and expectations. These unconscious biases can shape how we listen, respond, and understand others.

Often, misunderstandings occur not because someone communicated poorly, but because another person interpreted the message through an inaccurate assumption.

Through their class on Bias in Communication, the McIvers helped students recognize these hidden barriers. They encouraged them to become more aware of their own assumptions and to approach conversations with greater openness and curiosity.

Instead of rushing to conclusions, students learned to ask questions. Instead of assuming motives, they learned to seek clarification. And instead of focusing solely on their own perspective, they practiced considering the viewpoints of others.

Awareness is the first step toward better communication.

These habits create stronger communication, healthier relationships, and more effective leadership.

In a world filled with assumptions and misunderstandings, empathy becomes a competitive advantage.

Communication That Changes Lives

The lessons Gary and Teri McIver shared extend far beyond the classroom.

Effective communication strengthens leadership. It improves relationships. It helps us navigate differences, solve problems, and inspire positive change. Most importantly, it allows us to connect with people in meaningful ways.

The students who attended their classes gained more than communication techniques. They gained a deeper understanding of how leadership begins with listening, understanding, and genuine human connection.

Great leaders are rarely the loudest voices in the room. They are often the best listeners.

At Cumorah Academy, experiences like these help students develop the skills and character needed to make a difference in the world.

If you want to learn from experienced mentors, grow as a leader, and develop skills that will benefit you for a lifetime, Cumorah Academy can help you take that next step.

Apply today and discover how transformative mentorship can shape your future.