Stop Icebreakers

Start connecting people to each other and your meeting.

The use of icebreakers at the beginning of workshops can sometimes elicit mixed reactions. While icebreakers intend to foster group connection with each other and the context of the meeting, they can occasionally be perceived as cringe-worthy. The challenge lies in striking the right balance between breaking the ice and respecting individual comfort zones. Agile practitioners often emphasize the importance of authenticity and genuine connections within teams. Therefore, forcing participants into unnatural or overly designed activities can feel inauthentic and may not contribute positively to the team dynamics. It’s essential to be mindful of the group culture and preferences, ensuring that icebreakers serve their intended purpose without causing discomfort. Finding creative and meaningful ways to initiate conversations and build connections is a key aspect of successful group facilitation.

Cringe icebreakers of the past

Connect with people pre-meeting

To establish a connection before a meeting or workshop, send a pre-meeting message expressing genuine enthusiasm and a personal touch. Include a fun fact or intriguing question related to the agenda, inviting participants to share their thoughts. Consider organizing a brief virtual coffee session for an informal meet-and-greet, allowing individuals to connect on a personal level. These small initiatives contribute to breaking the ice, fostering a positive and collaborative atmosphere as the formal proceedings begin. Lead by example, allowing for some time at the beginning of the workshop to engage with people and make a connection by noticing personal aspects or behaviours that they openly demonstrate. Be curious and ask open questions about what people are wearing, caring, sharing or presenting.

Stop physical Icebreakers

Although popular with the more hardened Agile cult, icebreakers forcing people to run around and interact physically frequently face opposition. Less physical icebreakers often prove to be less cringe-inducing as they minimize the potential for discomfort and ensure broader inclusivity. Physical activities can sometimes inadvertently create awkwardness or unease, especially in diverse groups with varying comfort levels. Icebreakers focusing on verbal communication, personal insights, or shared experiences tend to be more universally accessible and comfortable for participants. By steering away from overly physical interactions, facilitators can create a welcoming environment that allows individuals to engage at their own pace, fostering a sense of inclusivity and ensuring that the icebreaker serves its intended purpose of building connections in a meaningful and enjoyable manner.

A segue into the meeting

Icebreakers are invaluable for smoothing the transition into a meeting, especially when they are cleverly connected to the topic. By engaging participants in a lighthearted activity or question that mirrors the theme of the discussion, these icebreakers can break down barriers and warm up the atmosphere, making everyone more receptive and connected to the subject at hand. For instance, if the meeting is about innovation, an icebreaker asking participants to share a small personal innovation they’ve implemented in their daily lives can lighten the mood and subtly steer everyone’s mindset towards creativity and change. This method turns the start of a meeting from a routine procedure into an enjoyable segue, fostering a sense of unity and focus amongst attendees, all while setting a positive tone for the collaborative work ahead. Contrary to popular belief, targeting and limiting the questions to a certain topic often triggers people and enables them to participate more easily. Where people sometimes struggle with very open questions. For example, What went wrong with the previous release is often easier to answer than what is wrong with our release process.

9 Less-Cringe connecting moments

Here’s a list of 9 activities that aim to be engaging and enjoyable without being overly cringe-worthy:

• Targeted Speed Networking(Energetic):
  — A fast-paced way for participants to quickly introduce themselves to multiple people whilst answering a question related to the topic of the meeting, fostering fast random connections through brief, focused conversations. Bonus points for quirky timer.
• Commonality Connection(Competitive):
  — Participants pair up and have a set time to find as many things in common as possible. This encourages active listening and helps break down initial barriers. Afterwards, you could connect the items to the subject of the meeting
• Memory Sharing(Personal):
  — Everyone briefly shares a memorable or interesting experience from their past in any way related to the topic. This breaks the ice and provides insights into each person’s background.
• Personal Playlist(self-expression):
  — Participants share one or two songs representing their current mood or mindset. This allows for self-expression and can lead to interesting discussions about musical preferences. Follow-up question: How is this reflected or related to the meeting?
• Team Timeline(Deep):
  — Each participant draws a timeline of significant events in their life that are related or unrelated to this meeting. This visual representation provides a unique way for team members to share personal experiences of how they got here in this meeting and triggers reflection on the significance of different perspectives and events related to the meeting.
• Appreciation Circle(Positive):
  — Participants form a circle, and each person expresses appreciation or acknowledges something positive about the person on their right. This sets a positive tone for collaboration. Bonus points for appreciation of contributions made to the topic of the meeting.
• Six-Word Stories(Creative):
  — Each participant shares a six-word story that provides a glimpse into their personality or current state of mind. This concise storytelling exercise is both fun and revealing. Bonus points for connecting the story to the topic of the meeting.
• Collaborative Drawing(Physical):
  — Participants work together on a drawing related to the topic of the meeting, with each person adding a small element without seeing the entire picture. This fosters collaboration and creativity while breaking the ice in a lighthearted way.
• Build a Duck(LEGO SERIOUS PLAY):
  — Each Participant gets 6 LEGO bricks. Ask them to build a duck. Very diverse models will emerge. Ask participants to explain their duck to the group. Personality characteristics and connections abound. Optional: the ducks could be a nice giveaway, creating a physical reminder for the event. You could ask questions on how the duck characteristics might be related to the meeting topic. Often, this triggers small, fun discussions on whether or not this is the case.

When planning a connecting activity, it’s essential to consider the group’s unique culture and preferences. This alignment ensures the activity is both engaging and appropriate for the participants. Here are some factors to consider:

1. The activity should be related to the meeting. It sets the stage for the next part of the meeting. If the activity is totally unrelated, it is a lost opportunity to connect people to each other and the meeting in a meaningful way. I know it's easier and safer just to copy something off the internet, but a seasoned facilitator will always facilitate in context.
2. Understand the Group’s Culture: Every group has its own set of norms, values, and dynamics. For instance, a group of tech professionals might enjoy a problem-solving icebreaker, while a group of artists might prefer something more creative. Understanding these nuances helps in selecting an activity that resonates with the group.
3. Promote Inclusivity: Choose an icebreaker that everyone can participate in, regardless of their physical abilities, cultural background, or personal beliefs. The goal is to make everyone feel welcome and valued.
4. Adapt to Group Size and Environment: The nature of the icebreaker should suit the size of the group and the environment. For large groups or virtual meetings, simpler and more structured activities work best to ensure everyone’s involvement.
5. Encourage Positive Interaction: The activity should foster a positive atmosphere. It should encourage participants to share, collaborate, and connect in a friendly and respectful manner.
6. Be Mindful of Comfort Levels: Not everyone is comfortable with the same level of interaction. Some might enjoy activities that involve sharing personal stories, while others might prefer more task-oriented or trivia-based icebreakers. It’s important to strike a balance.
7. Set the Tone for the Event: The icebreaker can set the tone for the entire meeting or event. A more playful activity can create a relaxed atmosphere, while a more serious and thought-provoking icebreaker might be appropriate for a formal or strategic meeting.
8. Flexibility and Adaptability: Be prepared to adjust the activity on the fly based on how the group is responding. If an activity isn’t engaging the group as expected, having a backup plan or being able to tweak the activity can be beneficial.
9. Brief and Impactful: Effective icebreakers are usually brief but leave a lasting impact. They should not take up too much time but should be impactful enough to break down barriers and warm up the group for the main event.

By carefully considering these aspects, you can choose or design an icebreaker activity that not only breaks the ice but also enhances group dynamics and a reflective mindset, making the overall experience more enjoyable and productive for everyone involved.