Icebreakers can make the difference between awkward chit-chat and meaningful conversation. They help participants learn about each other in a fun way and can help them build community and trust.
This mindful icebreaker asks people to share an internal value from where they grew up. It is also a great way to encourage diversity.
Tell a Story
A simple hello accompanied by a genuine smile is a great conversation starters. This is usually followed by a question about the other person’s day and could lead to conversations about their family and kids.
Asking about someone’s favorite movie or song is a fun way to break the ice and start a conversation. It allows people to share their opinions and listen to others’ perspectives.
Ask a Question
Asking questions is one of the best ways to get people talking. However, it’s essential to select open-ended questions that allow participants to elaborate on their answers.
For example, instead of asking, What do you do for a living? Try something more creative, such as, What’s your plan if there was a zombie apocalypse? This exciting and funny question allows people to dig deeper into their thoughts.
Ask a Personal Question
Asking a personal question can help you connect with someone on a deeper level. It can also encourage them to discuss their passions, interests, and aspirations.
What’s one thing you’re grateful for today? This question allows people to share positive experiences and can lead to discussions about gratitude and positivity. This is a great topic to use in the workplace.
Ask a Question About Yourself
What’s the most beautiful place you’ve ever been? This straightforward question can make a conversation for world travelers and homebodies.
If you’re at a party or other social gathering, ask your friend about their favorite music, movies, sports teams, and other interests to help break the ice. These quick icebreakers are a great way to warm up a group quickly.
Ask a Question About Their Life
People love to talk about themselves, so this is a great way to keep the conversation flowing. It’s also a nice change from the overused “What do you do for a living?” opener.
What are some things you like to do to relax? It can open up a lot of different conversations. And it’s an excellent way to show interest in getting to know them.
Ask a Question About Their Work
Meaningful conversations typically leverage economic and non-economic value drivers in a work context. This is where conversation starters that focus on the other person’s current work come in handy.
This icebreaker helps large groups get acquainted by creating a mural-sized visual network of their connections. The key is to make it fun and relevant.
Ask a Question About Their Relationships
Asking funny questions is a great way to help people feel comfortable in new social situations. However, it’s important to avoid questions that might make them uncomfortable or cause them to form a negative first impression of you.
Keep the conversation focused on value. You should work towards connecting, sharing information, and solving problems. It also means that you should avoid byways and digressions.
Ask a Question About Their Family
Asking someone about their favorite childhood memory can give you a good idea of how they view their past. This is also a great question to use on a first date!
People love sharing stories about their pets, so this is an excellent question for the conversation. Kids, in particular, often have imaginative answers to this one!
Ask a Question About Their Past
Despite what the famous phrase suggests, “breaking the ice” has nothing to do with frozen cubes or awkward silences. This idiom refers to social interactions and the need for good conversation starters.
Questioning someone’s past can help people open up about their experiences and struggles. It can also reveal their passions and interests in life.
Ask a Question About Their Future
If you want to get to know someone more, ask them about their plans for the future. It can give you insight into their passions and how they hope to impact the world.
Meaningful conversations take time and effort to develop. To help keep the conversation going, try one of these quick icebreaker activities that are simple to explain and fast to run.
