I enjoyed seeing this Canadian icebreaker in Montreal. Since I've lived in Florida all of my adult life, I forget that, in the winter, it's necessary for icebreakers to cut a path for ships and other vessels to make their way in the frozen rivers. This one is on the St. Lawrence River.
I have no expertise regarding this kind of icebreaker.
I do have some expertise with the other kind. The kind that seems much less important but, in reality, is extremely valuable in helping to clear the path for better communication in small groups.
Why?
Because otherwise a small minority of folks in every group will take over. Does that mean they're smarter and have better ideas? Absolutely not.
Also the icebreaker says to the group that they are being heard and they are cared about as whole persons.
So the icebreaker is important because it gets each person to speak. It "primes the pump" of communication. Once a person has said something, he or she is way more likely to say something of real value later on. The icebreaker can also help us get an insight into others - fast.
The icebreaker needs to be easy to answer and nonthreatening.
It's each person in the group's job to answer the question. It's the rest of the groups' job to listen to the answer. Here are some fun and insightful icebreakers.
- What movie or TV star would you cast in the movie of your life?
- Where did you live when you were ten years old?
- Where do you get your favorite hamburger?
- If you were involved in a play on Broadway would you rather be 1. Lead actor 2. Character actor. 3. Producer 4. Director 5. Writer 6. Set Designer?
- What do you do when you play?
- Seashore or mountain vacation?
The icebreaker works with sullen teenagers, CEOs and every other small group.
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