5 Icebreaker Questions: How to Avoid Awkward Silences and Boring Conversations
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As a leader, setting the tone for group meals and activities is up to you. Selecting the appropriate icebreaker, however, can be a difficult task. Though you want to encourage your team to get comfortable and open up with their team, talking about the weather or daily commutes can be monotonous and unstimulating. But there's no need to worry. We have you covered with five great icebreaker questions that will assist you in getting to know your team better and lay the groundwork for a productive and enjoyable time spent as a group.
We're excited to share our responses with you! We want to give you a better idea of who Andrew & Christine are as people.
Story from Andrew
“During a dinner with my esteemed colleagues on the Board of Directors for the Mobile Giving Foundation Canada, I confidently presented an engaging icebreaker card game that was met with enthusiastic approval. The questions on the cards sparked fascinating conversations about various topics such as life, art, and science. We all had a blast and ended up staying at the restaurant for five hours, laughing, sharing stories, and enjoying each other's company. As the night came to an end, I felt grateful for the meaningful connections I had made and the new friendships I had formed.” —Andrew, designACE
Andrew using our icebreaker cards to spark meaningful conversation at a work dinner.
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Vote by responding and tell us which icebreaker question is your favourite. Bonus marks if you answer the question too!
What would be the first thing you would do if you won the lottery?
What season best describes the mood you are in today?
What is your mantra?
How do you spend a rainy day?
Who is your biggest advocate?
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What season best describes the mood you are in today?
If you want to understand how someone is feeling and their overall well-being, you can ask them to describe their current state as a season of the year. This straightforward question can give you valuable insight into their mindset and the reasons behind their behaviour. It's a simple and low-pressure way to start a conversation and get a sense of everyone's energy and mood.
Andrew's Answer
"Today, I am feeling very happy, and my mood is reminiscent of summer. I had a fantastic weekend. I'm channelling that energy into beginning the week with my business partner and friend, Christine." —Andrew, designACE
You can follow up with questions like:
What is your favourite thing about this season?
What season are you least like right now and why?
What would be the first thing you would do if you won the lottery?
Asking what a person would do if they won the lottery can be an amusing question that elicits imaginative and intriguing responses. Additionally, it grants you insight into individuals' aspirations, expectations, and dreams. This inquiry may reveal aspects of people's lives that are intertwined with difficulties, debts, and the drive we all have to earn more money. It's a question that appeals to everyone and fosters a sense of fellowship.
Christine Answer:
“If I ever win the lottery, I would prefer to keep it to myself. The idea of having all that attention and scrutiny on my newfound wealth would make me feel quite uneasy. Instead, I would rather anonymously spread kindness wherever I could. One of my first acts of kindness would be making a sizable contribution to the Richmond Hill Food Bank, where my mother is a manager and Andrew, and I volunteer our time. I love helping out with the battle against hunger. It feels really good to make a difference!” — Christine, designACE
You can follow up with questions like:
How would you spend or invest your winnings?
Who would you share your good news with first?
What is your mantra?
It is not uncommon for people to adopt a personal motto or philosophy that drives their pursuit of excellence. Knowing what principle guides an individual can reveal their underlying values, beliefs, and ambitions, providing insight into their personal compass, convictions, and aspirations.
Andrew's Answer:
"I've had this great life mantra since grade 4 that I found on a poster. It goes like this: "Stress is like a rocking chair, it gives you something to do, but it doesn't get you anywhere." I say it to myself all the time. I find that staying calm in tough situations comes naturally to me, and I think part of that has to do with this excellent mantra. It's helped me out a lot in life." —Andrew, designACE
You can follow up with questions like:
How did you come up with your mantra?
How do you apply your mantra to your daily life?
How do you spend a rainy day?
When faced with the prospect of a rainy day, one might wonder how to spend their time in the best possible way. It's an interesting question, as the answer can vary greatly depending on the person's preferences and inclinations. Some might choose to curl up with a good book, while others may opt for a marathon of their favourite TV show. Still, others might see the rainy weather as an opportunity to get creative, trying their hand at baking, crafting, or painting.
Christine’s Answer
"When it's raining outside, my favourite thing to do is snuggle up with my furry buddy Comet and dive into a captivating book. I love reading, but unfortunately, I don't always have as much time as I wish. That's why I always take advantage of the rainy weather to get comfortable and let my mind wander through the pages of new ideas and perspectives."— Christine, designACE
Check out our latest leadership book review.
You can follow up with questions like:
What is your favourite rainy-day movie or book?
Do you prefer to stay indoors or go out and enjoy the rain?
Are you on Pinterest and want to collaborate on our productivity board?
Who is your biggest advocate?
It's always good to have someone who has your back and is actively working on your behalf. That person is called an advocate. If you take the time to learn about people's biggest advocates, you'll see who they are grateful for, who makes up their support system, and who they have strong relationships with. It can also reveal if someone needs an advocate and could use good mentorship and support.
Andrew’s Answer
"I feel so grateful to have an amazing group of people who truly have my back. My sister Ceara is one of those special people who never misses a chance to spread the word about designACE and all that we are doing. She is always there to give me a shout-out or share our content on social media. When you're working hard to make something happen, having someone like her in your corner means everything." —Andrew, designACE
You can follow up with questions like:
How do they support you in your work and personal life?
What is something you learned from them?
Discover our Icebreaker Games for meetings.
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In Conclusion
Icebreaker questions can improve group dynamics in meetings, meals, sales pitches, and product brainstorming. We believe these questions will energize your conversations and encourage collaboration. Share your answer to your favourite icebreaker question.
