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Cool icebreaker ideas and the science behind them.

 

I’m running a meeting that starts in ten minutes and totally forgot that I should start with an icebreaker. Hello ChatGPT, give me an icebreaker and hurry!

Been there? Do you find yourself wondering if these icebreakers are worth the effort? Are they a waste of time or a wasted opportunity? Done thoughtfully and strategically, they can be valuable.

Icebreakers prime your session for success. Think of them like the stretches you do before running.

Icebreakers establish the right mindset, context, and emotion for a productive meeting.

But not all icebreakers have the same effect. The key is to pick an icebreaker that will serve the purpose of your meeting.

First, let’s spend a minute on the neuroscience of icebreakers. (Emerson focuses on change management and behavior change, so we tend to geek out on the neuroscience of, well, pretty much everything.)

This is your brain on an icebreaker.

Icebreaker engagement has a profound effect on the brain, influencing cognitive, emotional, and social processes. Here’s how:

  1. They activate the prefrontal cortex.
    • The prefrontal cortex, responsible for higher-order thinking, lights up when people engage in problem-solving or social interaction.
    • Icebreakers that involve storytelling, problem-solving, or creative thinking prime the brain for deeper engagement during the rest of the meeting.
  2. They trigger the release of dopamine.
    • Fun, interactive icebreakers stimulate dopamine production, the neurotransmitter linked to motivation, pleasure, and learning.
    • This makes people feel more interested, rewarded, and engaged, leading to higher participation and retention of information.
  3. They reduce stress and anxiety.
    • Many people feel nervous or disengaged at the start of a meeting, which can lead to higher cortisol levels (the stress hormone).
    • A well-designed icebreaker creates a sense of safety and belonging, lowering stress and making people more open to communication.
  4. They enhance social bonding.
    • When people laugh, share personal experiences, or collaborate in icebreaker activities, the brain releases oxytocin, the “bonding hormone.”
    • This helps build trust and connection among participants, making teamwork and discussions more productive.
  5. They boost memory and learning.
    • Engaging, meaningful interactions strengthen neural connections, making it easier for people to retain and recall information.
    • The brain remembers emotionally engaging moments better than passive listening, so icebreakers help cement ideas from the start.
  1. They shift focus to the present moment.
    • Many people come into meetings distracted. An icebreaker redirects attention to the present.
    • This improves focus and mental readiness.
  1. They encourage creativity.
    • Creative or playful icebreakers stimulate the right hemisphere, which is associated with innovation, imagination, and out-of-the-box thinking.
    • This is particularly helpful in brainstorming sessions or meetings that require problem-solving.

By activating these brain processes, an icebreaker doesn’t just serve as a warm-up—it primes the brain for deeper engagement, learning, and collaboration throughout the meeting.

Choose your icepick.

Okay, so there is ample evidence that icebreakers are worthwhile. The next step is to choose your icebreaker. What frame of mind should your attendees be in for the topics you’ll be covering? Collaboration, creativity, vulnerability, or something else?

Here are a few common themes and icebreakers that work with them:

  • Collaboration and Teamwork
    • Why break the ice? It encourages openness, trust, and cooperative thinking.
    • Icebreaker: “Blind Drawing” – One person describes an object, and another must draw it without seeing it. This highlights the importance of clear communication and teamwork.
  • Creativity and Innovation
    • Why break the ice? It gets people thinking outside the box and promotes idea generation.
    • Icebreaker: “Worst Idea First” – Have everyone come up with the worst possible solution to a problem. Then, discuss how elements of it could be turned into useful ideas.
  • Trust and Vulnerability
    • Why break the ice? It strengthens relationships and fosters psychological safety, which is key for deeper conversations.
    • Icebreaker: “If You Really Knew Me…” – Each person shares something personal about themselves that others might not know.
  • Focus and Mindfulness
    • Why break the ice? It helps people transition from previous tasks and be present in the meeting.
    • Icebreaker: “One-Word Check-In” – Everyone shares one word describing their current mindset and explains briefly if they want. This builds awareness and helps the team support each other.
  • Energy and Motivation
    • Why break the ice? It sets a high-energy tone for an exciting or challenging discussion.
    • Icebreaker: “30-Second Brag” – Each person shares something they’re proud of from the past week. This boosts morale and engagement.

Follow these steps.

Here’s a simple process for using icebreakers:

  1. Identify the theme and mindset needed for your meeting,
  2. Ask your favorite AI LLM (Large Language Model) for icebreaker ideas that will establish the mindset you want.
  3. Determine how much time you have for the icebreaker. Do some quick math to decide which icebreaker activity is feasible given your time constraint. If necessary, be clear about the time each person should spend giving their answer.

That’s it! Making icebreaker activities a strategic part of your session is easy. Done right, it will enhance the experience for your attendees and improve your meeting quality and outcomes.

Want to explore this topic in more detail, or learn more about Emerson, with Rich? Hop on his calendar: Book a meeting with Rich