Team research that is designed to maximize social impact first requires an in-depth understanding of self, values, personal characteristics, and collaboration. This article explores how leadership assessments and inventories can be utilized to enhance the development of the research process in the context of an intentionally scaffolded first-year course and the complementary curricula and team experience that follows. True Colors, Character Values Scale, Myers-Briggs Type Indicator, CliftonStrengths, and the Thomas-Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument will be discussed in this article.