An icebreaker is a game or activity that helps introduce people to each other, break down any social barriers, and encourage people to interact. Icebreakers can significantly elevate the effectiveness of team meetings. Gallup has found that psychological safety and a relaxed work environment enhance employee engagement, boosting performance by around 20-25%. Engaged employees are highly involved in and enthusiastic about their work and workplace. They are psychological “owners”, drive high performance and innovation, and move the organization forward.
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Start the Conversation: 20 Icebreakers for Face-to-Face and Virtual Team Meeting
2024.10.31
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Team Meeting and getting to know people can be a daunting experience for many of us. While some have the skills to navigate social encounters, others need a little assistance. Suppose you are in charge of a group of people who might be unfamiliar with each other at a team meeting. Icebreakers are a great way to warm people up to each other and encourage active communication. The goal of icebreakers is to foster a welcoming environment where team members feel comfortable sharing and engaging. When people are relaxed and connected, it sets the stage for more productive discussions and collaboration, making the entire meeting experience more enjoyable for everyone involved. Here we would like to introduce some good icebreakers and questions for team meetings to help make them more enjoyable.
What are Good Icebreakers for Team Meetings
It's encouraging to see leaders recognizing the importance of employee engagement and taking steps to implement effective strategies. The pandemic has led to a decrease in in-person meetings and a rise in virtual sessions on video conferencing platforms (like Zoom, GMeet, Webex, and Microsoft Teams). However, things are rapidly changing with many teams returning to on-site work and adopting a hybrid of virtual and on-site work and events. Team meetings, whether in person or virtual, are an essential tool for fostering engagement and ensuring everyone feels connected to shared goals.
Icebreakers for Face-to-Face Meetings
While face-to-face meetings can be more stressful than virtual ones, a successful in-person meeting can significantly boost productivity and engagement.
Face-to-face meetings can provide opportunities for different kinds of icebreakers compared to online ones. When a group of people unfamiliar with each other comes together in a room, there may be a feeling of awkwardness. Some lighthearted games help ease tension, spark conversations, and add fun to the meeting or gathering.
Choose activities that are appropriate for your group and that will help them feel more comfortable and connected.
Fun 10 Icebreakers for Face-to-Face Meetings
Icebreakers for face-to-face meetings can get creative by using items to help bring people together. Here are some fun icebreakers to bring positive energy to a meeting.
One-minute introduction
The most simple way to break the ice. Go round to each participant in the room and ask them to introduce themselves. Ask them to state their name and a fact about themselves they would like to share with the group. Enhance this discussion with something unique like a fun or surprising fact about them. It could be a hobby, something you're proud of, a recent achievement, or something you're looking forward to.
Back-to-back drawing
Get two people to sit facing away from each other. One of the pairs receives a picture of an object or a phrase and, without using any words that give away what it is, describes it to the other participant. The participants listened to the description and then proceeded to draw what they heard. This activity highlights the importance of clear, detailed communication and active listening. This game is a fantastic icebreaker that focuses on team building and communication skills.
Scavenger hunt
Get people moving with a scavenger hunt around the office, building, or even outside in the local area. Make small groups and give each one a list of locations. Ask them to find those locations and take a selfie within the time limit given. You can also add creative or fun challenges like adding a specific object or a pose in your selfie. Have a prize ready for the winner since this game is more active. The element of competition brings excitement with a playful touch.
Rapid Fire “This or That”
Speed through choices like “Slack or Email?”, “Coffee or Tea?”, “Morning or Night?” It’s quick, and fun, and helps the team find commonalities or differences in preferences without needing much time.
One Word
Ask each person to describe their current mood or how they feel about the upcoming meeting/project using only one word. This quick activity can set a positive tone for the meeting as it creates an open space for sharing and connection.
If You Were a CEO for a Day
Ask each person to share one thing they would do if they were the company’s CEO for a day. It can be serious or funny and gives insight into what employees value or think could improve.
Office Superlatives
Everyone votes on things like “Best Virtual Background” or “Most Likely to Respond to an Email at 2 AM.” It’s lighthearted and helps team members learn more about each other’s habits and personalities.
Team Trivia
Create a trivia game with questions related to the company, recent projects, or industry fun facts. Teams can compete in small groups, and it’s a great way to break the ice while reinforcing company knowledge. A trivia game adds a lighthearted element to meetings, making them more enjoyable.
Here are some example questions:
“What year was our company founded?”
“What’s the most-used tool in our office?”
Share a memorable moment
Ask team members to share a memorable moment from their life. This could be a work-related accomplishment, a personal milestone, or a memorable travel experience. Set a time limit to a few minutes for sharing the stories as it ensures that everyone gets a chance to speak and the conversation remains focused. After each story, allow time for reactions and questions by other team members, promoting dialogue and engagement.
Storytelling
Storytelling is a fun and creative way to break the ice and encourage teamwork. It is a great way to practice improvisation and thinking on your feet. Kick-off with a simple sentence: "Once upon a time, there was a curious little robot named Ziggy who dreamed of exploring the universe..."
Each participant will contribute one sentence to build a story together. For example, The next person might say, "Ziggy built a rocket ship out of recycled soda cans and bottles."
The story can take any direction, from silly to serious. Emphasize that there are no wrong contributions, as each person adds their unique flair to the story.
Icebreakers for Virtual and Hybrid Meetings
The kind of icebreaker needed to warm people up to each other may differ based on whether the meeting is virtual, hybrid, or face-to-face.
With virtual or hybrid meetings done on the internet via computers or other such devices, icebreakers must be designed to fit the situation at hand. As a simple icebreaker when participants are in various parts of the world, ask them where they are currently. It is an opportunity to talk about the country or region in which they live or work. You can even ask participants to describe their moods using emojis. This is a quick, low-pressure way to break the ice and gauge the energy level of the group.
10 Fun Icebreakers for Virtual Meetings
For virtual meetings, some platforms have apps that have icebreakers already available if you do not have any of your own. Below are some ideas for short icebreakers ideal for online meetings.
Show and tell
A fun and simple little icebreaker to get to know people.
Find a nearby item or share a picture on the chat. Go around the group sharing the story or meaning behind that item.
Two Truths and a Lie
Ask the participants in the meeting to write three statements about themselves. Two of the statements should be true, and one should be a lie. Get participants to vote with a mark on which statement they think is a lie. Once all the votes are in, reveal the answer and answer any questions the participants may have. This often leads to follow-up questions and stories that help the team connect on a personal level. Two Truths and a Lie is a fantastic icebreaker to help team members learn more about each other.
Virtual background show-and-tell
Ask participants to choose a virtual background that represents something about themselves. Encourage them to explain why they selected that particular image and what it means to them. It allows team members to learn more about each other, fostering a sense of camaraderie.
Show your workspace
Participants give a quick tour of their workspace, highlighting any unique or interesting items. Encourage participants to be creative and showcase their unique personalities. This icebreaker can help participants feel more connected to each other by learning about their work environments and personal interests.
Icebreaker polls
Use polling tools (like Zoom polls) to ask light-hearted questions (e.g., favorite food, favourite hobby). Share the results live to engage participants. This creates excitement and encourages discussion, making the meeting more enjoyable and productive. This approach makes meetings dynamic and fosters authentic engagement, helping everyone feel more connected and ready to collaborate.
Emoji Check-In
Ask participants to share how they’re feeling with a single emoji in the chat. This is a quick, fun way to gauge everyone’s mood and lighten the tone right from the start. After everyone has shared, you can briefly discuss the responses. It is a great way to set a positive tone for your meeting.
Remote Work Rituals
Ask your team to share one daily habit that helps with work-from-home life. This will help exchange practical tips and help participants build better routines. Sharing personal rituals fosters a sense of community and understanding among team members.
One-Word Pulse Check
Ask everyone to type a one-word response in the chat to a fun question like “What’s your favorite snack?” or “If you could teleport anywhere right now, where would you go?”It is an effective way to create a lively atmosphere and help team members feel more connected before diving into the meeting agenda
What’s Your Superpower?
Ask everyone to share what they think their superpower is (e.g., “I’m skilled at persuasion” or “I’m an amazing baker!”). This icebreaker invites team members to reflect on their unique strengths by sharing what they believe their "superpower" is. It’s a lighthearted way to appreciate unique strengths.
Pet/Plant Parade
Invite participants to show their pets on camera, and share photos of pets/plants, give a virtual tour of their plant collection, or simply tell a story about their green companions. It is a delightful way to add a personal touch to meetings, helping team members connect on a more personal level while creating a warm and friendly atmosphere.
Summary
A little fun can go a long way and help bring people together, especially those who may struggle to initiate conversation. By providing a structured and lighthearted activity, icebreakers can help break the ice and encourage people to interact. Icebreakers can be especially helpful for those who may feel shy or uncomfortable in social situations.
Many icebreakers involve creative problem-solving or storytelling, which can help to stimulate creativity and innovation. The key to effective icebreakers is to choose activities that are appropriate for your group and that will help them feel comfortable and connected. With a little creativity and effort, you can create a fun and engaging experience that will leave a lasting impression.
We provide suitable venues for team meetings, planning, and administrative support to make your event a success. Please feel free to contact us.
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