If you kne
w me, you would know that I am OBSESSED with Icebreakers. I think they are so important to use within organizations, teams, and any other type of group. This past semester I took an online class on “how to build your own online classroom”. It was an amazing course. I built a whole class around Icebreakers, why they are important, and what we do with them.
There are a lot of individuals out there who do not like icebreakers – mainly because they don’t understand them or have never seen an icebreaker presented correctly.
For the next four blog posts, I will be explaining why icebreakers are important, what makes an icebreaker effective, or not effective, and different types of icebreakers. Today, I will share why icebreakers are important.
What is an Icebreaker?
An ice breaker is an activity, game, or event that is used to welcome and warm up the conversation among participants in a meeting, training class, team building session, or other event (humanresources.about.com).
Icebreakers are used when any event requires people to comfortably interact with each other. A facilitator may use an ice breaker to fill the awkward silence or discomfort in the room (humanresources.about.com).
Why do we do Icebreakers?
To break the awkwardness or silence
It’s never fun to sit in a room full of people you may not know. Sometimes in these awkward situations, we tend to stare at our phones, but do nothing. Other times we fidget uncomfortably and look around until the presentation begins.
Get the blood flowing
Meetings are more effective when you are up and moving around before it starts. It is nice to get the blood flowing and energy boosted before a meeting.
Get people to know one another
Who doesn’t like to network? Or even make new friends! When in an organization or at a conference, icebreakers are helpful because you get to know others better. When doing icebreakers, you may learn something important about a peer you may have not known of before.
Get people to interact with the group
When interacting with others and getting to know them on a more personal basis, it strengthens the connection and meeting as a whole. An individual is more likely to talk to someone they know or have something in common with then they would with a stranger.
To have fun!
They are just fun! For some people, icebreakers are the only thing they have to get to know others. Not everyone is good at making conversation on their own. They need a little pick-me-up game or event that is going to help them open up.
Until next time, have a great day!
If you want to check out the rest of the posts in this icebreaker series, here they are!
Icebreakers: How to Make Them Effective
