Avoid The 4 Biggest Mistakes With Icebreakers

Using a well thought out icebreaker at the start of a meeting, party or training session is usually a fun and energising way to get an event off to a great start. However, a word of caution, without care and forethought an icebreaker can also go badly wrong, turning the start of your event into a complete shambles.

Here are the 4 biggest mistakes people make. Make sure they DON’T apply to you!: – embarrassing your participants; inappropriate use of icebreakers; compelling people to take part and lack of any homework preparation on participants.

If you, as session leader, fail to do your homework and run the event without finding out about your participants, your choice of icebreaker could be completely inappropriate. You must find out as much as you can about your audience to ensure you pick the right icebreaker. For example:who are they? What kind of age are they? What is the male/female split? Do they know each other at all? Can they do physical icebreakers? Are they a work group or social group? Do they all speak the same language? What is their reason for coming together?

Embarrassment and loss of face are not the type of feelings you want to generate with your ice breakers. This can happen unknowingly when you use an ice breaker that is too risky for the group. This could be a more physical game or a particularly silly game. If you are starting with a completely unknown group to each other, play cautiously and allow the group to let you know when they are ready for riskier activities.

Forcing people to take part in an icebreaker is a definite no, no. You cannot force people to take part. What you need to do is create a relaxed atmosphere in which the group will trust you and want to participate. You do this by knowing your group and being aware of them and yourself. Think about how you come across? Don’t forget to smile and be enthusiastic. Enthusiasm is infectious.

Sometimes the use of icebreakers to kick-start sessions are not appropriate. If the nature of the session is difficult e.g the downsizing of a company, to start a session with fun and laughter can be seen to be frivolous and out of touch. Choose wisely or not at all.

Remember a great ice breaker has the ability to get your training and events off to a fantastic start. Genuine feelings of warmth and camaraderie can result from spending a few minutes of carefully constructed fun at the start of any event. Doing your homework, and selecting a few carefully chosen ice breaker games will be a great investment and set the scene for the rest of the day!

Learn how to run an ice breaker game the right way: easily and competently. Stop by Sharon Naylor’s site to get great ideas for icebreakers and get your events off to a great start. I show you how!