Team building takes commitment, collaboration – and a lot of mud [VIDEO]

Teamwork is the top reason I enjoy my role at LinkedIn. Collaboration, one of our cultural pillars, routinely manifests itself both inside and outside of the office. In June, the LinkedIn Sales team in London embarked on “Probably The Toughest Event on the Planet” - Tough Mudder.

linkedin legends

Tough Mudder is tough because it's 20 kilometres through mud and obstacles designed by British Special Forces to test stamina, strength and teamwork. The LinkedIn "Legends" team of 20 was formed through a mixture of volunteering, coercion and peer pressure. The team included participants with a range of abilities, but all shared the common goal of testing their determination to succeed.

We chose this event in particular because of the pledge that all runners must take, both in writing and verbally on the start line - "I understand that Tough Mudder is not a race but a challenge. I put teamwork and camaraderie before my course time. Tough Mudders are team players who make sure no one gets left behind".

So on a warm summer's day in the English countryside, we pulled on our Legends t-shirts, got pumped up together as a team and took our pledge on the start line. We captured the moments on our GoPro cameras and you can see our highlights video here...

After 4 hours, 13 miles, 20 obstacles, 4 dunkings and 2 electrocutions, through exhaustion and injuries, all 20 of us made it across the finish line. And we crossed it together as a team.

As a Sales leader at LinkedIn, I am focused on inspiring my team to reach a shared objective while upholding our culture and values. During Tough Mudder, everyone did that job. What made this day special to me was the way we got through adversity by pulling together and laughing all the way as teammates, colleagues and friends. Some team members have described the event as one of the most fun days of their lives.

Best of all, no one was left behind.