How to Develop an Ice Breaker

Thursday July 2, 2009

I remember the days when I purchased every ice breaker book on the market. I spent hours looking for an ice breaker that would fit the needs of my upcoming training or team building session. The books had good ideas that I could adapt for my groups, but I rarely found an ice breaker that I could use "as is."

One I remember using with great success involved craft popsicle sticks. I asked participants to build the highest free-standing object with a base that they could using just these carved popsicle sticks. Well-received and hilarious, groups loved this ice breaker. What's today's equivalent?

Ice Breaker Time Passes

As time passed and I became more experienced, I gradually began developing my own ice breakers from scratch. I never looked back.

I've shared ice breaker ideas with you on this site in the past, but for the first time, I've collected my thoughts about how to develop an ice breaker for a training session, team building session, or meeting. I've shared them in today's new article. I can see this piece growing over time as my readers and I add ideas. And, really, it's time for me to go back and check the ice breaker books and cruise a bit online to see what's new in the ice breaker world.

I'm afraid ice breakers are a lot like novels, though. I remember reading that there are only 30-some basic plots in fiction. The rest are variations on the common themes.

Have you read, used or participated in any effective ice breakers recently? I'd really like to hear about a good ice breaker. (Comment.)

_{Image Copyright Bobbieo}

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