What are icebreakers?

Icebreakers are exercises that can spark discussions and help employees learn more about one another. You can use group icebreaker games to introduce a new team member, during meetings or at any work event. Many icebreaker games can encourage discussion on specific topics or build new skills.

Common icebreakers include:

• Team-building icebreakers
• Group icebreakers
• Problem-solving or puzzle icebreakers
• Meeting or event icebreakers
• Introductory icebreakers

Depending on the icebreaker you choose and the number of participants, the activity can last from five to 15 minutes. This amount of time is usually enough to help participants feel comfortable and relieve nerves before proceeding to a project or meeting.

“When senior leaders are included, be sensitive to their time and make the icebreaker a quick exercise.”

—Kathy Gusich, executive recruiter

Why communication icebreakers work

Effective communication is integral in the work environment. Being able to clearly and concisely give direction is just as important as the ability to listen and understand what’s being said. Icebreakers can help teach these skills in a fun and engaging way.

Here are a few of the reasons how icebreakers might help:

1. Improves listening techniques

Active listening requires attention and focus. Icebreakers help teams practice listening and motivate employees to be better active listeners. They can also help team leaders identify what communication improvements may be required within the team.

2. Strengthens communication skills

Understanding how to convey information concisely and clearly is important. Icebreakers designed to strengthen communication skills can teach employees how to structure a message more effectively, say it concisely, express it with complete understanding and potentially reduce poor communication in the workplace.

3. Improves effective feedback skills

Icebreaker exercises intended to improve feedback skills can teach employees to receive information positively. These exercises also create a neutral environment where team members feel comfortable and see their contribution as desired and appreciated.

Communication icebreakers to consider

When considering different types of ice breakers, make sure to be inclusive of all team members when it comes to physical limitations, accessibility and location. Here are some icebreaker examples that can help improve your team’s communication skills:

1. Practicing active listening

This icebreaker helps employees practice their active listening skills:

Ask each person to share two brief true statements about their work experience and one value that’s important to how they work–for example, flexibility or teamwork. The next speaker repeats the previous person’s value before sharing their own. This requires active listening while allowing people to participate verbally or via chat and can be done at a comfortable pace.

2. Adding details to improve communication

This icebreaker shows employees the value of precise, specific details and how they improve understanding. One participant describes a simple object, process, or image using only words, focusing on specific details like size, order, timing or location. Others share what they think it is then compare interpretations. The group reflects on how clearer, more precise details improved understanding.

This activity is inclusive, requires no movement and works verbally or in writing at a comfortable pace.

3. Practice giving feedback

This icebreaker teaches employees about constructive feedback and how a few words can change the tone. Share a short, neutral workplace message like, “This report needs changes.” In small groups or as a full group, participants rewrite the message in two ways: one that feels discouraging and one that feels constructive and supportive. The group then discusses how word choice affects tone and impact.

The activity is disability-friendly, requires no physical movement, and can be done verbally or in writing at an accessible pace.

4. Shining work moments

This game encourages professionals to share three moments in their careers when they produced their best possible work. To initiate this icebreaker, ask participants to think back on their careers and identify three of their proudest moments.

If there are several participants, separate them into groups of four or five. Once participants are in their small groups, ask them to share one shining moment at a time. Make sure to ask participants to listen carefully to identify common themes.

After each member has shared their shining moments, ask participants to share their reactions to the others’ stories. Then ask them to share common themes they recognized in the stories.

It’s important to allow participants to make their own conclusions about the stories.

5. Speed meeting

Modeled on speed dating, speed meeting can be a fun way for professionals to get to know each other quickly.

To create a speed meeting session, divide your participants into two groups that face each other. Give participants two minutes per meeting and ask them to keep the questions light, such as favorite places to travel, pet names or favorite books. Once the two minutes are over, have each person in the first group shift to the right once.

6. Five of anything

This icebreaker is a good option to start a meeting that encourages all team members to participate.

The game involves asking participants to list five things. For example, they could list five favorite countries, five favorite foods or five top movies. They can give a brief explanation of their reasoning for each of their five things. Once they finish, others can ask questions about the choices or offer comments that prompt a discussion.

If you have a specific topic for a meeting, you can use five of anything to get employees to focus. For example, if the meeting is about building leadership skills, participants can list five qualities they believe make a leader great.

How to use icebreakers in a remote setting

Icebreaker games can also work well for conference calls if you have a remote workforce. Here are a few ways to break the ice virtually:

• Take a picture of your shoe. This involves taking a picture of your shoe and uploading it online so the person on the other end of the line can see it before the conference call begins. In addition to the picture, you can request that they add some text. Ask participants to share why they chose the shoe. Is there a curious story behind it?
• Ask the time machine question. Ask participants to answer the following question: “If you were able to travel through time, in which time period would you go and why?” You can also vary this question by asking, “Who would you meet and why?” or “Would you go for a visit or stay there?”
• Try using two lies and a truth. Ask a participant to share two lies and one fact about themselves, then have others guess which one is the fact. You can also have participants share two truths and a lie instead, then have others guess the lie.

Icebreakers are a quick way to learn more about your employees and create cohesive teams. When you know more about your employees, you can better identify their strengths and weaknesses to help encourage growth within the company. Coworkers who better understand their colleagues’ perspectives can form collaborative relationships.

Lastly, many icebreakers can help employees develop good critical-thinking, communication and problem-solving skills. Icebreakers that involve solving puzzles or creating something help teams to think creatively, which can translate well to business-related projects.