8 of My favorite Icebreakers and why they work

Plus: The do’s and don’ts of using icebreakers

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I’m a huge fan of icebreakers - you know, those little, fun questions or short activities posed at the start of a meeting or workshop to get you talking or moving. They also help the group get to know each other a little bit.

Now, I’ve heard from some people, “I hate icebreakers!”

If that’s the case, it’s because you’ve only been shown the wrong ones - the icebreakers that are tiresome or not very well-thought out.

I’m here to correct that wrong!

We’ve got 3 parts for you today:

1. My favorite icebreakers

2. The benefits of using icebreakers

3. The do’s and don’ts of icebreakers - including which ones to NEVER use!

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1. The best icebreakers
   I’m fan of questions that get the audience smiling and talking, or that pique their interest.

   • What was your first concert?

   • What is your theme song? (or: “…your walk-on song?”)

   • What are you reading right now?

   • What is a book everyone should read? (And why?)

   • What is a website (or app) you can’t live without?

   • What’s the most embarrassing song on your playlist? (or spotify, or apple music…or whatever music delivery method you like…)

   • What was the best gift you ever received? (Fun to ask around holiday times)

   • What was the WORST gift you ever received? (Even more fun to ask around holiday times)

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2. The benefits of using icebreakers in your meeting, workshop, class, or training
Don’t use something unless it has a benefit! See which of these apply for you.

Icebreakers…

• …Build Connections: In short, they get people talking to each other. Participants can connect with each other on a personal level, such as learning about each other’s first concerts. In my workshops, lots of times we see 2-3 people who were at the same concert, and they end up chatting more and working together.

• …Encourage Interactivity: Icebreakers get people talking and establish the expectation - early - that yes, this is interactive, and I want to hear from you. This small bit of action and activity can set a positive tone for the rest of the meeting or workshop.

• …Ease Nervousness: Using an icebreaker is tacit way to say, “We’re all in this together, and I welcome your input.” Everyone gets a chance to speak, so they start using that “talk!” muscle early on.

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3. The do’s and don’ts of using icebreakers

• Do ask small, specific, focused questions like the ones above.

• Don’t ask broad, open-ended questions, such as “Tell us something about yourself.” (Or, “Tell us a fun fact about you!”)
  Your participants will either freeze, and struggle for something to say, or they will use this as an opportunity to tell everyone their life story. Neither one is good. Don’t use this question.

• Don’t use questions that will put your participants in a bad light, or that are…um ….not called for. Two of the worst I’ve heard are: “What was the worst thing you ever did as a child?” and “What is the grossest food you’ve ever eaten?” Just say no to both!

• Do modify - or skip - the icebreaker when your audience is too large and it will eat into your meeting time. Ten people? Probably okay. Fifty? Skip it.
  
  I once sat on a Zoom meeting with 50 academics. We only had an hour for the meeting, and everyone was asked to introduce themselves, along with their department, which classes they taught, and how long they were with the university. After all intros were done (35 m.) We had about 20 minutes left for the actual meeting. We did not get through our agenda.

• Don’t shame people if they can’t answer the question or truly are struggling for something to share. Simply say, “Thanks, that’s okay,” and move on.
  Sometimes, not everyone will participate, and that’s okay.

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More icebreaker tips can be found on my YouTube channel.
In the meantime, check out my presentation and meeting tips:

• How to make your speech openings better

• One simple, powerful thing to do to make sure EVERYONE hears the questions (one of my most-viewed on LinkedIn!)

• The 3 Worst Ways to End a Speech

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About The Author

Hi! I’m Marianna. I’ve helped thousands of clients speak confidently. Public speaking is my jam. I offer workshops and executive coaching.
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