I know the fact that you are looking for fun icebreaker questions signals a meeting that involves getting to know your fellow team-mates. These meetings can be filled with awkward silences and limited participation. If done properly, ice-breaker question meetings can be a lot of fun! Even revealing interesting similarities between new team members or further bonds with people who have worked together for years.
I’ve been a part of some great “get to know each other” meetings in my life, and some that made me feel like looking for the camera in a real-life Office situation. What separates them is partially asking some good questions, while also using these questions as launching pads for further conversations.
Set the Intention before the Icebreaker Questions
Everyone knows these types of meetings are a little odd but embracing them as weird can set the right tone. Instead of running through the list just to get it done, use the questions as jumping-off points to find out other things about people. Some of the below questions can lead to further discussions. Like the question, “what is the most amazing fact you know?” could reveal what interests the person. Follow-up about asking about the topic related to that, “do you know a lot about x” and see if other people also have that interest. Conversations like these put people at ease and lets the conversation flow more freely. People can leave the meeting feeling excited to be working on this team.
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Warm-up Questions
- Cats or dogs?
- What is your most-used emoji?
- If you could live in any sitcom, which would it be?
Questions to get Creative
- If you could add a word to the dictionary, what would you add, and what would it mean?
- If you were stranded on a deserted island and could only bring three things, what would you bring?
- What is the most amazing fact you know?
Personal Experiences
- What’s the weirdest food you’ve ever eaten?
- What’s your favorite place you’ve ever visited?
- What is your favorite family tradition?
- What was in your high school locker?
- What was the best you’ve attended?
- What is something you are looking forward to?
- What is the best thing you have ever bought?
Preferences
- What is your favorite holiday and why?
- What is your favorite children’s story?
- What is your favorite book or TV show?
- What is your idea of a great day?
- What card or board games do you like to play?
- What is your favorite Podcast?
Common Interests
- What is your favorite meal to cook and why?
- What movie have you seen recently that you would recommend and why?
- What is the song you are playing on repeat right now?
- If you got the opportunity to teach a class, what would you teach?
- What Netflix show are you currently hooked on?
Insights on their Heroes
- If you could meet any living person for dinner, who would you pick and why?
- If you could meet any historical figure, who would you choose and why?
Key Take-Aways
- Icebreaker questions can be fun and can lead to higher team bonding as team members get to know each other on a more personal level.
Action item
Write down a handful into your notes on your phone. The next time you need to break the ice with someone, either at work or some other interaction, try one of the questions. See what new insight you can learn about the person.
