Podcast Transcript

Welcome back everybody. Ready to dive into some virtual meeting ice breakers? I feel like we all have a ton of virtual meetings these days.

Oh yeah,

it can be tricky to keep things engaging, you know.

Totally.

Especially when everyone's remote or we're in that whole hybrid work mode,

right?

But ice breakers, I think they can be a real gamecher.

Absolutely.

You know, for actually making those meetings fun but also productive.

Yeah. Yeah. They can really help, you know, they can make people feel more connected and like they can really contribute.

Yeah. that psychological safety thing, you know.

Exactly. Exactly. That sense of trust and comfort. It lets people kind of let their guard down.

Makes sense. So, how do we actually use ice breakers effectively? Like, where do we even begin?

Well, first you got to think about the meeting itself, you know, what's the goal? How big is the group? How much time do we have? Yeah.

If it's a quick check-in, you probably only have time for a quick question.

But for like a team building session, you could do a whole activity.

Gotcha. So, let's start with some quick and easy ones. Those go-to Ice breakers when you're short on time.

Sure.

What are some of your favorites?

Okay. Well, instead of just asking, "Where are you joining from?" which can get old. Yeah.

Try something like, "What's the weather like outside your window?"

Ooh, I like that.

It's still about location, but it's more visual.

Right. Right. More engaging.

Yeah. And you might even get some funny stories or, you know, people comparing weather.

Totally. It's a little peak into their world.

Exactly. Another one you could try is, "What's one thing you're grateful for today?"

Ooh. I like that.

It's simple, but it sets a positive tone.

Yeah. It gets people thinking about good things.

Exactly. Speaking of, you know, we're all so glued to our screens. How about a quick breathing exercise?

A breathing exercise.

Yeah. Just have everyone take a few deep breaths together.

Oh, that's interesting.

It's amazing how much that can reduce stress and help people focus.

True. True. Okay, so those are great for quick check-ins. What if you have a bit more time, like 10 or 15 minutes?

Okay. Well, then you could do a virtual show and tell. Oh, fun. Like in school.

Yeah. But you know, bring an object that means something to you, like represents a hobby or something.

Oo, I like that. So, we get to learn more about each other.

Yeah. And you can even add a theme to it, like something that makes you laugh or an object that represents your dream vacation.

I love that. Or how about a teen timeline?

A teen timeline.

Yeah. Everyone adds a significant event from their life or their career,

you know, to a shared timeline.

Oh, that's a cool idea. It's a visual way to see how Everyone's paths kind of, you know, intertwine.

Exactly.

Okay, those are great. Now, what about for those longer team building sessions where you really want to dive in?

Okay, for something like that, a virtual escape room can be a lot of fun.

Ooh, a virtual escape room.

Yeah, there are a bunch of platforms online that offer these.

I've heard of those.

You work together to solve puzzles and stuff.

So, it's like gifying team building. Exactly. It gets everyone communicating and thinking creatively. And you could even make it a competition, you know, with different teams.

Oo, I like a little competition.

Me, too. Another option is a virtual movie pitch.

Oh, interesting. How would that work?

You divide everyone into groups and give them some prompts.

Okay.

Like a genre, a character, a location.

Uhhuh.

And they have to come up with a movie pitch, and then present it.

That sounds hilarious,

right? It's all about creativity and collaboration.

And maybe we'll discover the next blockbuster idea.

Who knows? And speaking of creativity. How about some virtual improv games?

Virtual improv?

Yeah, lots of improv games can be adapted for online.

I can only imagine how that would go,

right? It's a great way to loosen people up and encourage them to think on their feet.

I love it.

But the most important thing is to choose an icebreaker that actually fits your team and the meeting, you know?

Right. It's not one size fits-all.

Exactly. What are you trying to achieve? What kind of energy do you want to create?

Right. And it should be fun for everyone.

Definitely. It's like setting the stage, right? You want people to feel comfortable. and ready to participate.

Yeah, totally.

And sometimes you don't need a whole structured activity, you know.

Okay. So, what are some more low-key ways to break the ice?

Well, you could set up a pre-meeting chat.

A pre-meeting chat?

Yeah, like a dedicated space where people can chat casually before the meeting actually starts.

Oh, I see.

Like in the video conferencing platform or a separate chat channel even.

So, it's kind of like recreating that office small talk.

Exactly. It gives people a chance to connect on on a personal level.

That's a great idea. Takes the pressure off, too, you know?

Right. And you can even provide some prompts in the chat to get people started.

Oh, like what?

Like, what's your favorite thing about working from home or share a picture of your work space?

Oh, I like those.

Simple things like that.

Yeah. It helps break down those barriers.

Yeah.

Especially for people who are new to remote work.

Absolutely. And speaking of, you know, those visual elements, encourage people to use virtual backgrounds.

Oh, yeah. Virtual backgrounds. Those can be fun,

right? But with a twist. Ask everyone to choose a background that represents a hobby or a dream destination.

Ooh, that's clever.

It's a fun way to spark conversations.

I can see it now. Oh, I love your background. Tell me more about that.

Exactly. So, we're using those visuals to create connection.

I like it. So, we've got the premeating chat and the virtual backgrounds. Any other tips for encouraging those less structured interactions?

Sure. How about encouraging random pairings for like virtual coffee breaks?

Random pairings.

Yeah. you know, use a randomizer tool or just ask people to connect with someone they don't usually talk to.

It helps break down those silos.

Right. Right. So, everyone gets a chance to connect with someone new.

Exactly. It's all about building those relationships.

Okay. We've covered a lot of ground here. Quick questions, elaborate games, and now these more casual approaches, right?

What are some key things to keep in mind as we're choosing and actually implementing these icebreers?

Well, the most important thing is to be inclusive.

Inclusive. Yeah. Make sure everyone feels people participating no matter their personality or communication style.

Right. Because not everyone loves public speaking.

Exactly. So offer different ways to participate, you know.

Makes sense.

And it's got to be relevant, too, right? Tie the icebreaker back to the meeting's purpose or the team's goals if you can.

So it's not just a random activity,

right? It shows that you're being intentional with people's time.

I like that. And of course, it should be fun.

Of course. Don't be afraid to experiment, you know. See what works for your team.

Absolutely. The more you try things out, the better you'll get at choosing the right icebreaker for the moment.

Exactly. So, now I'm curious. What are some common mistakes people make with virtual ice breakers?

Oh, good question.

Yeah,

because I'm sure we've all seen some awkward ones.

Yeah, for sure. One big one is choosing an icebreaker that's way too long.

Especially if you only have a short meeting.

Exactly. It ends up eating into the actual meeting time.

No one wants that.

Nope. And don't forget to give clear instructions, too.

Oh, yeah. That's important.

People need to know what's expected of them,

right? Otherwise, it just gets confusing.

And, you know, avoid anything too personal or intrusive, especially if the team doesn't know each other well.

Yeah. You don't want to make anyone uncomfortable.

Definitely not. But, I think one of the biggest mistakes is not facilitating the icebreaker well.

Hm. What do you mean by that?

Don't just throw out a question and then disappear. You got to engage with people's responses. Ask follow-up questions, you know.

Oh, I see. So you're actively guiding the conversation.

Exactly. And don't be afraid to be yourself. You know,

be authentic,

right? That's what makes it fun.

Okay. So, facilitate actively. Keep it light-hearted. Got it. What are some signs that an icebreaker is actually working? What should we look for?

Well, the most obvious sign is that people are actually enjoying themselves,

right? Smiling, laughing, actually participating.

Exactly. You can feel the energy shift and people will start asking each other questions. sharing stories.

All of those me too moments.

Exactly. And the conversation will flow more naturally after the icebreaker, you know,

like everyone's warmed up and ready to go.

Exactly. And ultimately, the icebreaker should help you achieve your meeting goals.

So, it's not just about the icebreaker itself. It's about how it impacts the rest of the meeting.

That's right. It's all connected.

I like that. Okay. Before we move on, I'm curious. Are there any specific ice breakers that can help with those common remote work challenges?

You mean like burnout and isolation and stuff.

Yeah.

Yeah.

Cuz those are real issues.

Absolutely. There are definitely ice breakers that can help with that.

Okay. So, what are some ideas?

Well, to combat burnout, how about share your unwinding ritual?

Oh, I like that. Like, how do you de-stress after work?

Exactly. It gets people thinking about self-care and they can share what works for them.

Yeah. It's good to hear what other people are doing, you know?

Right. It can inspire people to try new things. And to help with that feeling of isolation, I'd recommend Virtual team bingo.

Virtual team B.

Yeah. You create bingo cards with squares like has a pet make a cameo appearance on a call or worked from a coffee shop this week.

Oh, that's fun.

You know, things people might have in common.

Right. And it encourages those little interactions that make you feel like you're part of a team.

Exactly. And for boosting creativity, how about a what if icebreaker.

Okay. What if? I like the sound of that.

You pose a question related to your work, but with a what if twist. Okay, give me an example.

What if our product could talk? What would it say? Or what if we had unlimited resources for this project? What would we do differently?

Oh, I like that. Gets people thinking outside the box.

Exactly. It can spark some really creative ideas.

So, we've got burnout, isolation, and creativity covered. Any final tips for choosing the right icebreaker for those tough remote work situations?

I think the main thing is to be empathetic. You know, really think about what your team is going through. through and pick an activity that addresses those needs.

That makes sense. It's about being intentional, right?

Exactly. It's not just about breaking the ice. It's about using those moments to connect and support each other.

I love that. So, the icebreaker is just the beginning,

right? And don't forget to bring your own enthusiasm to it. Be authentic. Be yourself. That's what makes it fun for everyone.

Well said. As we wrap up our deep dive into virtual meeting ice breakers, what are some key takeaways for you?

Ah, that's a great question. question. What new ideas are you taking away from this deep dive?

Think about how you can use these ice breakers to make your own virtual meetings more engaging and fun.

Yeah. And more productive, too. Right.

Absolutely. And if you want more tips and resources, you can always find us online.

Head over to our website or connect with us on social media.

We'd love to hear from you.

Thanks for joining us on the deep dive.

See you next time.