ice-breakers
First meeting facilitators
Ice-breakers are activities or remarks designed to ease tension and encourage conversation among strangers or at the start of a meeting: We did a few ice-breakers before the workshop began.
The term comes from ships that break through frozen waters to clear a path—ice-breakers similarly break through social awkwardness to make interaction easier.
Wordless guessing game
- triviaUnimportant miscellaneous facts
- bingoNumber-matching game of chance
- tabooCultural or social prohibition
- telephoneVoice communication device
mafia · werewolf · heads-up · uno · catchphrase
Casual social interaction
- networkingBuilding professional relationships
- mixerCombines ingredients or people
- meet-and-greetScheduled public introduction
- orientationPosition relative to surroundings
reception · kickoff · onboarding · retreat · introductions · awkwardness
Light, casual conversation
- chitchatInformal light conversation
- banterPlayful, teasing exchange
- introductionsInitial formal presentations
- anecdotesBrief amusing accounts
humor · compliments · hobbies · hypotheticals · favorites · rapport-building
Respectful forward inclination
- hullOuter covering or frame
- reinforcedMade more resistant
- arcticOf extreme northern cold
- expeditionOrganized exploratory journey
channel · floes · frozen · passage · navigation · polar · crushing · maritime
Fostering group cohesion
- warm-upPre-activity preparation routine
- energizerSource of drive
- role-playingActing out characters
- show-and-tellClassroom presentation activity
charades
Wordless guessing game
mingling
Casual social interaction
- networkingBuilding professional relationships
- mixerCombines ingredients or people
- meet-and-greetScheduled public introduction
orientation · reception · kickoff · onboarding · retreat · introductions · awkwardness
small-talk
Light, casual conversation
- chitchatInformal light conversation
- banterPlayful, teasing exchange
- introductionsInitial formal presentations
anecdotes · humor · compliments · hobbies · hypotheticals · favorites · rapport-building
bow
Respectful forward inclination
- hullOuter covering or frame
- reinforcedMade more resistant
- arcticOf extreme northern cold
expedition · channel · floes · frozen · passage · navigation · polar · crushing · maritime
team-building
Fostering group cohesion
- warm-upPre-activity preparation routine
- energizerSource of drive
- role-playingActing out characters
ice-breakersdismissals
Formal removal from position
brush-offs · cold shoulders · snubs · rebuffs · goodbyes
ice-breakersheart-to-hearts
Honest, intimate conversations
confessionals · philosophical debates · difficult conversations · therapy sessions · real talk
ice-breakersparty-poopers
Those who diminish merriment
buzzkills · wet blankets · downers · intimidation tactics · dampeners