Ice Breaker Questions During Meetings

Many of us live in a world where meetings reign supreme—particularly now that many of us have switched to working remotely. For some of us, all the meetings can seem like overkill, but when done well, they offer important opportunities for colleagues to exchange ideas, facilitate discussion, and make decisions. Enter the power of ice breaker questions. 

Experts assert that team-building (the practice of building connection and trust with one’s colleagues) makes for better communication processes and increased productivity. But team-building doesn’t have to take the form of trust falls or disentangling the human knot—it can exist in small but intentional moments, like within the first and last few moments of a meeting. Questions can range from outrageous and silly to introspective and deep. Not only can these ice breakers help ground people in each other’s presence at the start and end of a meeting, they can also help people to laugh with one another and bring random understandings of folks we share (often virtual) space with every day. Let’s take a look at some examples of ice breaker questions you can use to check in during meetings.

Using ice breaker questions for levity

Sometimes, teams need levity and laughter. Perhaps you’re part of a newly-formed team that doesn’t yet know one another, or have a fatigued staff in the middle of a stressful work sprint. Whatever the case, light check-in questions can bring everyone’s attention to the present moment and help them build positive experiences with one another. 

Here are some examples of fun ice breaker questions to ask:

• What was the worst haircut you ever had?
• What is the most embarrassing fashion trend you used to rock?
• What is your go-to karaoke song?
• What breed of dog would you be, and why?
• What was your first AOL Instant Messenger screen name? 
• Who was your first celebrity crush?
• What is your favorite meme?
• What role would you play on a team of superheroes? 

These types of questions can foster a culture of fun and openness without requiring people to be too vulnerable or exposed. 

Facilitating introspection with deeper ice breaker questions

While humor can be a valuable tool for connection, teams sometimes also need depth and seriousness. When a certain level of mutual trust and respect has already been established, some ice breaker questions can also help a team mine for issues that might be obscured by the normal functioning of the group. These types of check-ins can help surface what motivates, moves, and inspires each person on the team. Examples are:

• Describe your past week in weather terms. (e.g. “stormy,” “cloudy,” “foggy,” “mostly sunny”)
• What is something you find depleting and challenging about this project/work? And what is something that brings you energy and joy?
• What motivates you at work? What demotivates you?
• What is the best piece of advice you have ever been given?
• Who is the best teacher you’ve ever had? What made them so great?
• Knowing what you know now, what advice would you give to your 10-year-old self? 18-year-old self?
• What were you most passionate about when you were young? And what are you most passionate about now? 
• What happens when you are stressed or burnt out? 

Using ice breaker questions for focus

When there are particular deliverables attached to meetings, ice breaker questions can help bring focus to the tasks at hand. Some examples: 

• What is one thing you want to get accomplished at today’s meeting?
• Share a word on the intention you hold for today’s meeting.
• What value or guiding principle will you bring to today’s meeting?
• What’s one thing you are excited about related to today’s meeting? And something you’re worried about?
• What is a work challenge you are facing right now, and how can folks help? 

How to select ice breaker questions

Though ice breaker questions are meant to be fun and foster creativity and connection, it is important to shape them in thoughtful and intentional ways. Hyper Island provides a terrific toolbox on what they call check-in and check-out questions, with recommendations on things to think about when planning a meeting. They tell us to consider:

1. How much time you have for a meaningful check-in question, and find ways to facilitate a time-kept process;
2. The mood of the team and the tone you want to set for your meeting;
3. How to connect the check-in question with the rest of the meeting agenda/purpose of the gathering.

By integrating ice breaker questions at the start and end of meetings, people can feel more engaged, aligned, and connected, not only to one another, but also to the mission and work. 

Check out a fun list of ice breaker questions here!

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Interested in improving your ability to engage with co-workers? Check out our post, 5 Books on Communication to Help You Up Your Game.