Ask an icebreaker question

As a moderator, you sometimes need a few extra minutes to prepare for the meeting. This is where the most lightweight energiser comes in. All you have to do is select the right question, that is the most relevant to your team and the situation.

Here are is a list of tested successful ice-beakers:

• What was your first job?

  By far, this question was my favourite one to answer, because I tried jobs in many different fields. My first job involved a lot of adventure and I’m proud to share. While it’s an unassuming question, the responses stand out.

• What famous character (living or not living) would you like to be for a day, and what would you do?

  With this question team learns each other’s interests. For some colleagues it can a be an entrepreneur, for others an influencer. Besides activating people, it also opens opportunities to follow-up and bond later.

• You have unlimited financing for the most ridiculous thing: what do you make?

  It’s important that financing is targeting only ridiculous (fun) stuff. It lets team members show all their creativity. Employees are finding it hilarious to learn what their colleagues can come up with.

• If you could go back in time to any moment in history, what time would you choose and why?

  It’s always nice to see how different people are thinking. Some ideas didn’t cross my mind before.

• What’s the most strange food you’ve ever eaten?Answers are often related to travelling, so it can produce several learnings at the same time.
• Who’s the most interesting person you’ve ever met?This question is a fun one, as it taps into the people that your coworkers admire. Folks bond over a mutual love for certain characters, or have a laugh when sharing circumstances of how it happened.
• What’s the worst video Advertisement you’ve ever seen and why?We all see video ads and not all of them are perfectly targeted for us. You will be surprised how funny this conversation can become.
• Who had the most influence on you growing up?A father, a film actor, a sports hero, a grandparent, an elementary school teacher… This question is touching to hear the answer to. You’ll gain a sense of respect about who has shaped your coworkers.
• Can you think of a movie or a book that influenced your life the most?Another way to learn about each other and connect on more levels.
• What did you want to be as a child and why?We enjoy sweet memories from the past. Remembering of small ourselves warms up the atmosphere.
• What subject do you wish you knew more about?With this question, you’ll learn how your coworkers want to grow or what they aspire to do. You might learn that a coworker would love to learn dancing, or that your lead has always wanted to get good at handwriting.
• Seen anything lately that made you smile?The answers to this question are often lovely. You’ll find yourself nodding your head as a coworker talks about acts of kindness in the street, a present from a girlfriend, a painting of the kid.
• What’s your favourite tradition?When you ask this question, you get an access into your coworkers cultural heritage that shape their values. Value systems is a great topic by itself.
• If you could bring back any past fashion trend, what would it be?
• What’s your most wanted holiday destination?
• What meal would you cook to impress someone?
• What languages can you speak and which would be the next one you want to learn?
• Can you sing or play any musical instruments?
• Do you have a hobby?
• What’s your favorite color and why?
• Do you prefer to work in silence or listen to podcasts or music while you work?
• Which mobile app can’t you do without and why?
• What topic do you feel qualified to hold a one-hour presentation on?
• What takes a long time to create but is worth the effort?
• What one thing do you wish more people knew or understood?
• What lesson do you wish you learned earlier in your life?
• What productivity tools work for you best?
• What were your first video games you played?
• Have you ever repaired something at home yourself? What?
• Who kind of sport do you like most (or hate least)?
• What are the most attractive character traits?
• What is most valuable in good colleagues?
• What’s your least favourite job that you glad you don’t have to do?
• What was your first cell phone?
• What’s the most expensive thing you’ve ever bought?
• What three things would you take to a desert island with you?
• What’s one small thing you’re doing to bring a little joy or comfort into your day?
• [quick] Do you prefer the country or the city?
• [quick] Are you more productive in the morning or afternoon?
• [long] Tell two truths and one lie about yourself, and we’ll guess which is a lie.
• [for remote work] Can you show off your workspace?
• [draw] Can you draw a picture that summarizes your day so far?
• [write] Can you choose three words that describe the past week?

Attributions:

• People vector created by freepik – www.freepik.com