The Importance Of Breaking The Ice.
Ice breakers are a great way of getting to know the team of people that you work with. Especially if it's a new team for a new project, knowing and liking your colleagues can have a massive impact on productivity. Maximising business success is important so finding different and interesting ways to bring everyone together is essential. Here is simple idea that take little time but work wonderfully at breaking the ice. It promotes cohesiveness within a group and allows natural discussion around topics that everyone will know.
Split the group into fours, or if it's a smaller team then work with the whole group together. Get each member of the team to name either their five favourite films, novels or tunes they like to listen too. It will help the groups to explore shared interests and get to know each other's likes and dislikes. This particular exercise works for those members of the group who are shyer at joining in discussions, this is because everyone has the chance to talk within their specific comfort zone. As a team building ice breaker, obviously depending on the number in the group, it shouldn't take longer than 10-15 minutes.
A good ice breaker should energise the group and enhance the effectiveness of the training session that commences. If an ice-breaker is specifically targeted to the training on offer, then an activity such as "Five of anything" can be tailored to incorporate this.
Holding ice-breakers before a large team building event can help to shed any apprehension that people may feel about the day ahead. They will help everyone relax around their colleagues knowing that what lays ahead will be a fun and active day. All round ice-breakers are great for inclusivity, especially if there are new team members to be welcomed. The aim therefore is to not single out anyone but to incorporate the whole group in an activity.
