Icebreakers: Creative ways to promote team cohesion.

I don’t have the luxury of working in the same workspace as many of my teammates. Our team is spread all across the country, with many working from home.

Because of this, finding time to build better relationships or get to know one another can be a bit difficult. There are only a handful of times per year that we all get to gather in the same room.

As you can imagine, the majority of our interactions are either virtual or over the phone.

With this being the case, we rely heavily on icebreakers at the very start of our meetings. Although often quirky, these icebreakers have had a huge impact on our team. We all know each other’s interests, passions, dreams, and even favorite foods.

I often look forward to my turn to conduct the icebreaker. I enjoy the opportunity to ask my peers questions that help me learn more about them. Not only has this built a stronger team bond, but it always creates a perfect segue to a productive team meeting.

Our team conducts meetings on a biweekly basis and ALWAYS start with a team icebreaker.

Why do icebreakers even matter?

Conducting team icebreakers before meetings can have several positive impacts on the team. Regardless of size or team dynamic, simply opening a meeting with a fun question can set the pace for the remainder of the gathering.

Here are a few impacts that I have felt from participating in team icebreakers:

Setting the tone → Starting with a positive activity can set a constructive and upbeat tone for the rest of the meeting, leading to more collaboration. I have also noticed that it creates a safer environment for others to speak up in.

Reduces team tension → Starting with a light-hearted activity can reduce anxiety and tension, making team members feel more comfortable and open during the meeting.

Better communication → Icebreakers often involve sharing thoughts or experiences, which can improve communication skills and encourage more open dialogue during the meeting. I often refer to back facts about others based on what they shared during their icebreaker.

Squash perceived barriers → Icebreakers can help break down hierarchical or interpersonal barriers, promoting a more inclusive and collaborative environment. These can act as channels to humanize one another.

Improved team cohesion → Regular icebreaker activities can strengthen team cohesion and a sense of belonging, which is essential for a high-performing team. When a team does not act as a single unit, the company can be impacted negatively.

I can recall several team icebreakers that improved our team dynamic.

If you don’t have the luxury of in-person or virtual team meetings, use a messaging platform instead. Even seeing what others have to share can have a high impact.

Be creative with your icebreaker.

Keep it appropriate, but think of unique questions to ask your team!

Plan to set aside 5-10 minutes during your meetings to start things off right.

Consider spending time writing out your next 10 icebreaker questions. Include others to also conduct the icebreaker for a more diverse selection.

Feel free to borrow a few of my own:

→ If you could go anywhere in the world, where would you go?

→ What is something that you know you should start doing but haven’t yet?

→ Do you have any pets? If so, do you have any photos to share?

→ What is something that you now realize your parents were right about all along?

→ What would you consider is among your greatest accomplishments?

→ If you could be paid for any one of your passions, which one would you choose?

→ What is the greatest investment that you have ever made in yourself?

→ What is your favorite movie and why?

→ What is a modern luxury that you cannot live without?

→ If you could go back five years, what would you tell yourself?

Be as fun and witty as you want. Include serious questions as well. Perhaps inquire about career aspirations. Maybe consider asking about fears or ambitions. Utilize the icebreaker as an avenue to break down barriers.

It’s easy but effective.

When I was working in the warehouse of my current employer, my team manager started each day with an icebreaker. We were simply asked what we did the night before.

Although so simple, this question had a tremendous impact on the team. Each of us felt cared for and involved in one another’s life. I was able to perceive my coworkers as REAL people and not just employees at the same company.

Based on their answers, we were able to carry out conversations throughout the rest of the day and even hear about each other’s plans for the evening to come.

This mentality has carried into my current role today. I will forever include icebreakers in my team meetings.

This is among the easiest and most effective forms of team building that I have experienced. It requires minimal effort on your part.

If this is not something that is currently being done within your team, now is a great time to start. Don’t rob others of an opportunity to build stronger relationships.

If it weren’t for icebreakers and an accumulated list of ‘get to know you’ questions, my coworkers would have never become some of my closest friends.