Awkward silences in the workplace can be seriously uncomfortable. Research shows that English speakers can rarely handle a pause of more than four seconds before the urge kicks in to fill the gap with small talk. But leaders can leap ahead of any discomfort by using a well-timed icebreaker conversation to keep the conversation flowing in the work environment.
Icebreakers don't have to be cringey or something you'd associate with fictional office boss Michael Scott. The right prompt can be:
In this guide, we'll discuss the many benefits of breaking the ice at work and introduce you to our mammoth list of icebreaker questions to get you started.
Icebreaker questions are prompts to initiate conversations and break the ice in a new or uncomfortable setting. For example, your team leader might settle nerves in a meeting by asking everyone to describe, "If you were an ice cream flavor, which would you be, and why?" Whether it's a team meeting, training session, or networking event, icebreaker questions are fun, thought-provoking, and designed to cut through any tension to make people feel at ease in their surroundings.
Humans are social creatures with an inherent need to belong, but many of us have constant concerns that we don't. This can be severe for as many as 12.1% of the population who experience a social anxiety disorder at some point in their lives. Even those who don't require treatment or support in social situations can benefit from the structure of an icebreaker activity to lighten the mood and enable connections with others.
Psychologist and interpersonal relationship expert, Ty Tashiro, wrote in his book, Awkward: The Science of Why We’re Socially Awkward and Why That’s Awesome:
"When non-awkward people look past an awkward person's social clumsiness and take the time to really get to know them, they often discover good people who simply have a different view of the world. Awkward people often tell me, "I wish that people would give me a chance because I think that they would like me.""
This is precisely the essence of using icebreaker questions in the workplace. They give everyone a chance to get to know each other on common ground, resulting in benefits for the individual, the team, and the overall company:
Sharing thoughts and ideas is critical in the workplace, as it fuels creativity, innovation, and collaboration. But this isn't possible unless your company culture feels psychologically safe to speak up in. Employees must feel able to:
Although icebreaker questions are only the start of creating a safe space, they're an important way to reduce feelings of conflict and competition, enabling people to interact in a secure environment with minimal stress or pressure.
Companies that promote a collaborative work culture are five times more likely to be high-performing than those that don't. But roadblocks such as limited social connections or a lack of information-sharing constantly threaten positive communication.
Breaking the ice encourages teammates to develop soft skills, including active listening, verbal communication, and trust-building. This leads to improved relationships with colleagues, enabling them to work better together in the long term. Even those anxious about sharing their stories or opinions will gain confidence in speaking up without fear of being censored or criticized.
Departmental silos happen when teams or departments become too focused on their goals, resulting in poor communication across the company. This disconnect can hinder progress and cause problems with customer service, team efficiency, and innovation.
Team bonding activities promote a unified company culture and encourage colleagues to think outside their area of responsibility. Icebreaker questions can be part of these team-building exercises to bridge the gap between departments and help teams move closer together. They introduce people to each other's roles while enabling them to learn more about their likes, dislikes, and hobbies.
Burnout is at an all-time high, with Future Forum indicating 42% of desk-based workers are burned out, up from 38% in March 2021. Icebreaker questions are a great way to relieve stress and lighten the mood if you want to create a more enjoyable workplace. Although workplace burnout is a serious issue that must be tackled from many angles, laughing with colleagues will reduce cortisol levels and pump out endorphins (the body's natural painkiller) to support mental and physical health.
We've pulled together some of the best icebreakers in the working world and put them into categories for you to choose from. Pick the ones that best suit your team or your situation, and don't be afraid to adapt them to your needs.
Fun questions are ideal for meeting new people for the first time or encouraging colleagues to get to know each other better. They're an immediate mood-booster, so use them when you want to inject energy and light-heartedness into the conversation:
Successful onboarding should always include a chance for new joiners to meet their team in a group setting or during coffee chats with an onboarding buddy. If you're breaking the ice in a larger group, alleviate pressure by asking questions that existing team members may not already know about each other; that way, the new hire won't feel under the spotlight.
One-to-one meetings between managers and direct reports don't need to be infused with tension. Instead, icebreakers can tear down seniority barriers and set the scene for some meaningful career growth discussions. Even though some of these questions may seem silly, they're a thoughtful way to uncover inner ambitions that a manager should know about.
Whether you hold meetings face-to-face or in a remote team environment, these sessions should be a time for all participants to express their opinions. Icebreaker questions are a healthy way to encourage open dialogue between colleagues and ensure your introverts, extroverts, ambiverts, and people of any rank or seniority feel comfortable speaking up in front of the team. Try these team building questions out for size:
Networking events offer the opportunity to meet new people, hear incredible speakers, and learn about the latest industry trends. But these icebreakers can be useful if you've ever cringed at making small talk during a networking drinks reception. They're ideal for sparking meaningful conversations with strangers and avoiding awkward silences. As Headshot Photographer Vadym Guliuk puts it:
“Let's be honest; we'd rather be sharing than listening to a general keynote or be engaged in a basic 'business card exchange' conversation.”
"Would you rather" questions are designed to be thought-provoking. They allow people to explore a question with two possible answers — each a head-scratcher! Although these are closed-ended questions, many participants will naturally feel inclined to explain their reasoning. But if not, don't be afraid to dig a little deeper, as they're not overtly sensitive topics.
Themed icebreaker questions can boost morale and get you in the holiday spirit. But keep your questions inclusive by sticking to the "holidays" theme rather than focusing specifically on Christmas or Thanksgiving, which some of your team may not celebrate.
Employee resource groups enable employees with similar backgrounds, interests, and experiences to connect in the workplace without fear of isolation or discrimination. Often these groups include employees from various teams or departments who may not come across each other in their day-to-day roles. Icebreakers can range from fun introductions to more serious prompts about diversity.
Let's say you have an established team who know each other well on a surface level. Now that you're past the introductions, reflective icebreaker questions will encourage people to peel back a few more layers and share more of their personalities with their coworkers. Tread carefully with these questions, and don't push people to share more than they're willing to.
Icebreaker questions are energizing and interactive. They can be a fun way to start a meeting, workshop, or team-building activity. But your icebreaker questions must be well thought out and appropriate for the group type, size, and setting. Follow these best practice tips for success:
Let’s address the elephant in the room: not everyone enjoys icebreakers. As Henriette Lang, Senior Client Service Manager at This Can Happen Global, puts it:
“Whilst some people may love an icebreaker, others would dread it so much it would make them fear attending other meetings. The fact that we are all different has to be recognized and appreciated.”
Get around this by giving meeting participants a chance to prepare their answers. Share the meeting agenda beforehand, including an item similar to this: "Five minute icebreaker: We'll be inviting all team members to quickly share which animal they're most similar to and why."
Icebreakers should never be a test. So, a meeting agenda is valuable for team members who don’t like being put on the spot, as it offers a chance for them to prepare their answers, even if it’s to say, "I would be a sheep so I can get the flock out of here."
Be conscious of the type of icebreaker question you choose in the workplace — it must be bias-free and never offend. For instance, an "If money weren't an issue…" question might be deeply insensitive for those struggling financially with the cost of living crisis.
Similarly, "Which cocktail most suits your personality and why?" could exclude those who don’t drink alcohol.
Inclusivity is critical here, so choose relatable questions that your team can answer in a breadth of ways, like, "What's the weirdest thing that made you smile this week?"
Team leaders can use icebreakers in virtual meetings to establish social connections between different geographical locations with varying time zones. To maximize how well these work, always:
Timing is everything when it comes to asking icebreaker questions.
Use them:
Avoid using icebreakers if you're:
Icebreaker questions aim to get everyone talking to alleviate any awkwardness in the room. But this may quickly go south if your audience isn't motivated to speak freely. So, how do you encourage the conversation to flow when you’re up against one-word answers, and people avoiding your eye contact?
First up, ensure you choose questions that allow for plenty of dialogue. For example, avoid closed-ended questions like, "Are you a dog or a cat person?” which will typically be answered with one of two choices. Instead, opt for questions that allow your team members to exchange stories like, “What’s the craziest prank you ever played on someone?" or "What's the worst haircut you've ever had?"
Next, feel free to ask follow-up questions to engage the conversation further but be conscious of not overstepping boundaries. Respect your team members' personal lives, and remember that you don't know everyone's story or what might be a sensitive topic for them. And always read the room to understand when a participant wants to talk or when they're ready for you to move on.
Newcomers may feel especially out of touch with the rest of the group with zero shared experiences or knowledge about their coworkers' backgrounds. But everyone was new to the team at some point, and Hannah Ingram, Marketing Manager at Talk Staff, knows how to level the playing field for employees of any tenure. She says:
"My old work had a great solution to this for new joiners. Rather than get new staff to be on the spot, we'd go around and talk about when we joined in chronological order. This works great because not only did it take the pressure off the new recruit, but it also took most of the pressure off the team because it told a story in order, and people could say more or less about themselves depending on their comfort levels."
If your team consists of people who are shy, introverted, or neurodiverse, it's possible to enjoy an icebreaker without putting pressure on everyone to speak. Helen McAndrew, Interim Programme Director for the UK National Health Service, outlines how she's used an anonymous approach to this activity:
"I usually start with an anonymous answer to that question. For example, "What did you want to be when you were a child?" People just wrote down on a piece of paper the job they wanted. Then they were put into a bowl and mixed around and someone read them out. It was hilarious. A good icebreaker does set the tone for the session."
Part of the anxiety associated with icebreakers is when people exert pressure on themselves to devise a showstopper answer. But the purpose of the exercise is to get everyone relaxed and comfortable, not to be the group's entertainer. Kalynne Martin, Branch Manager of Supreme Office Supplies, explains how to take the pressure off knowing where to start or finding something interesting to say.
“Whenever I have been asked to lead an icebreaker of this fashion, I always change it to "What is something mundane about yourself?" For example: I like to knit, I have a dog, I like baking fresh bread every week, etc.”
Icebreaker questions are designed to be short, sweet, and interactive. You're likely doing it wrong if you find yourself dishing out long-winded instructions or listening to lengthy monologues.
The best way to keep icebreakers interesting is by asking quick-fire questions. The objective is for everyone to feel included in the conversation and for team members to learn something new about each other. So keep it simple, and don’t forget to thank everyone for contributing!
Remember what you want to achieve from your icebreaker session and craft your questions accordingly.
The key is to focus on what you hope to gain from the exercise and ensure everyone is comfortable enough to participate. By using these tips, you can create a practical icebreaker session that lights up the room and engages your team.
There's an ideal icebreaker for every work situation, but it's important to cherry-pick the perfect one for your team. So why not keep our icebreaker template handy so you can hop in and choose a single question or a handful for your next team meeting?
Download our free Notion template with our complete list of icebreaker questions here.
At Nectar, we make it easy to build connections and forge bonds with team members at any stage of their employee lifecycle. We offer a suite of tools, including our Recognition feature, which enables coworkers to point out each others' achievements during shoutouts. Similarly, leaders can use the Challenges tool to motivate employees to bond at team-building events or set up their activities.
Feel free to take a self-guided tour of these tools or request a demo to see how Nectar can break through any ice and transform your team relationships.
