icebreakers
Ships through floes
Icebreakers are things that ease initial awkwardness between strangers—activities, questions, or remarks designed to get conversation flowing: We started the meeting with a few icebreakers.
The term comes from ships that break through frozen waterways, clearing passage for others.
An icebreaker can also be any opening move that breaks tension: His joke was the perfect icebreaker.
Casual social interaction
- networkingBuilding professional relationships
- conversationExchange of spoken ideas
- chitchatInformal light conversation
- banterPlayful, teasing exchange
rapport · bonding · camaraderie · schmoozing · small talk · introductions · mixer · meet-and-greet
Things that initiate
- promptsSignals to begin
- questionsRequests for information
- topicsSubjects of discussion
- openersThings that begin
hooks · anecdotes · storytelling · sharing · disclosure · would you rather · fun facts · favorites
Receptacle for contents
- bowRespectful forward inclination
- hullOuter covering or frame
- ArcticEarth's northernmost zone
- AntarcticSouthern polar region
polar · navigation · frozen · passage · expedition · Coast Guard · research vessel · channel
Joint intellectual work
- trustConfidence in another
- cohesionTendency to bind together
- synergyCombined effect exceeding components
- moraleGroup emotional well-being
unity · teamwork · cooperation · group activities · workshops · retreats · energizers · warm-ups
mingling
Casual social interaction
- networkingBuilding professional relationships
- conversationExchange of spoken ideas
- chitchatInformal light conversation
banter · rapport · bonding · camaraderie · schmoozing · small talk · introductions · mixer · meet-and-greet · party games
starters
Things that initiate
openers · hooks · anecdotes · storytelling · sharing · disclosure · would you rather · fun facts · favorites · hypotheticals
vessel
Receptacle for contents
Antarctic · polar · navigation · frozen · passage · expedition · Coast Guard · research vessel · channel · floes
collaboration
Joint intellectual work
- trustConfidence in another
- cohesionTendency to bind together
- synergyCombined effect exceeding components
morale · unity · teamwork · cooperation · group activities · workshops · retreats · energizers · warm-ups · trust falls
- icebreakersname game, would you rather, never have I ever, introductions, conversation starter
- Canadian ArcticNunavut, Northwest Territories, Yukon, Baffin Island, Yellowknife
- maritimeships, ship, boat, boats, anchors
- party gamescharades, musical statues, musical chairs, truth or dare, spin the bottle
- workplacehours, cubicle, desk job, holiday party, desk
- group activitiesgroup games, voting, protest, group dance, group project
icebreakerscold shoulders
Intentional chilly treatment
snubs · walls · rebuffs · brush-offs · dismissals
- icebreaker activitiesIntroductory group exercises