Author: Theresia

At the office, we’re taught to promote teamwork.  We recognize the importance of being involved and developing good relationships with co-workers.  I personally think that team building activities are absolutely necessary in order to maintain a healthy and positive work environment.  One of the things I love about FirstBank is that they encourage this.  So, we have meetings with co-workers.  We do miscellaneous activities and go to after-hours dinners.  We participate in activities that help us maintain these good relationships and build trust and confidence in those we work with.

But what happens when your “team” asks you to sign up for a British military-style training program?  It seems to me like we could just sit around and make some spreadsheets and pie charts together over a cup of coffee or something, right?  Perhaps go to a Rockies game, attend a happy hour, or play dodge ball together?  However I, being the type who hates feeling left out, and being the competitive college athlete that I once was, gave in and signed up before considering what I was actually getting myself into.  If you’ve ever completed the Tough Mudder in Colorado, or even researched it for that matter, you know that it’s not exactly a walk in the park.  Our Market President gave us two rules before we left for our weekend:  1- come back alive, and 2- come back speaking to each other.

4 hours, 10+ miles, 20 obstacles, over 3,000 feet of elevation gain, and 7 mild electrocutions later we found ourselves at the end, crossing the finish line together, and being crowned with FirstBank-orange headbands (coincidence, I’m sure).  I personally was absolutely exhausted, but I was proud of myself for making it through something I doubted I could complete.  And even more, I was proud to work with a group of people who encouraged me from day one.  I was thankful to have co-workers who made me sign up because they knew I was capable even when I doubted myself.  They helped me along, pushed me over walls (literally) and made me mentally and physically work harder than I ever would have on my own.

The moral of the story?  Never underestimate the good that comes from team building.  Also, never underestimate how quickly one gets a headache after diving into a dumpster filled with ice water…