What better way is there to bond together as a team than simulating a dash for rescue after a plane crash in the Amazon jungle? We were each given different injuries. Some had suffered a broken leg and blindness, others had suffered broken arms and the ability to speak. Together, we had to make it up the hill to our rescue point (the tower) in a minimal amount of time. After a brief moment of panic given our new found injuries, we bound together and began to make our way up the hill to safety.
The first trip I had sustained no injuries, so that meant a long climb to the tower with my broken legged teammate on my back. The blind supported the lame, while the lame, in return, spouted out directions to their leader. Those that had lost their speech motioned wildly with their hands trying to communicate with the team.
In our two trips up to the tower, I found that it was much easier to help than to be helped. It was much easier to have a teammate lean on me than have to look to a teammate for support.
On the second trip up to the tower, I had to make my way with a broken leg…and that’s exactly what I did. I made MY way hopping up the hill or dragging myself along, only grabbing on to a teammate when my strength was completely gone. I didn’t want to be a burden. I didn’t want someone else to have to support my weight, as well as my own, on our strenuous climb. I felt it was more important for me to make the way alone in order for others to be helped. And I hurt my team. There were some who felt they were not being trusted to help me up the hill. There were some who desperately wanted to help, but I denied their help and continued on my own.
During debrief, everyone’s feelings came out, and I was quickly made aware of where I had faulted and neglected to add to our team exercise. I thought it would be more useful to do it alone, but it turned out we needed to do it together. It turned out I was not at all helping by not asking for help.
This is a lesson I am going to take with me on the trip. Even if we don’t crash in the jungle, we are going to have to give ourselves in order to help one another, and in some cases, we are going to have to receive the help that is offered. They will lean on me, I will lean on them, and we’ll make it together
