Why icebreakers work and how to use them.

We’ve all been in meetings that stumble their way forward. They’re slow to start. People may be distracted. And when meetings lack momentum, it’s hard to keep teams engaged. One way to build momentum is by using an icebreaker.

What’s an icebreaker?

An icebreaker is any type of activity used to stimulate engagement among participants in a meeting. The simplest are open-ended questions. For example, “What’s the highlight of your week so far?” Or, a more work-focused question would be, “What’s one project you’re looking forward to this week?” Icebreakers might also take the form of a game or activity, such as finding five things you all have in common. They’re also quick; icebreakers are typically 10 minutes or less.

Meeting leaders use icebreakers to warm up the room, encourage participation, build camaraderie and trust, and stimulate creative thinking.

How icebreakers help build relationships

Icebreakers serve as a prompt for conversation. As people share their answers to a question or ideas on how to approach an activity, participants learn more about one another. The benefits are threefold. Getting to know colleagues better helps build community, interaction and empathy, according to Drexel University.

When to use an icebreaker

Use an icebreaker when you have a clear objective for what you want to achieve.

An exercise that encourages sharing helps teams with one or more new members get to know each other. This can be especially helpful for teams with remote workers who don’t have opportunities to get acquainted in person.

Team-building icebreakers are helpful when introducing teams that haven’t been together before, when teams aren’t functioning well or when there’s been a change of leadership.

While icebreakers are used most often at the start of meetings, they also infuse energy into lengthy meetings when used after a break.

Be sensitive when using icebreakers

Use discernment when using icebreakers in meetings. An introductory meeting with a new client isn’t an ideal time for an icebreaker activity. Also, an icebreaker would be out of place at meetings with serious topics on the agenda, such as the financial difficulties, layoffs or other organizational changes. Be sensitive to meeting participants.

Planning your icebreaker

Even if you’ve never used an icebreaker to help participants get to know one another, encourage conversation and set a positive tone for a meeting, planning one is simple. The following resources provide a variety of questions and activities for different group sizes and meeting formats:

• 28 Icebreaker Questions to Start Your Next Team Meeting
• TeamRetro’s Library of Icebreaker Questions and Games
• 5- Minute Icebreakers for Meetings

 

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