Great Team Building Icebreakers
- Author: Sheryl McAtee
- Categories:
- Tags:
- Share on:
Sometimes, a team doesn’t need or isn’t quite ready for an in-depth set of team building activities. Maybe it’s a team that is just forming after reorganization, or maybe it’s a team of individual contributors and teamwork is less essential to success. In these cases, team building icebreakers can be a great start. Consider some of these activities:
- Create a Team Poster. Post chart paper around the room, and ask team members to create posters that capture a key concept (like “Innovation”), team successes (“Our Year in Review”), or describes team goals (“This Year, We Will…”). Provide color markers and other art supplies to spark creativity and fun.
- Team Introductions. In this team building activity, participants pair up and share information about themselves. Then, each person takes turns introducing the other person to the full group. This is a great exercise during reorganizations, where it can focus on sharing team member expertise and background. It can also be used with people who know each other, where the introductions might focus on more personal information that others may not know.
- Team Bingo. This activity is great for holiday parties and networking sessions. Create Bingo cards with trivia and facts about team members (like, “Someone born in Hawaii,” “Someone with 4 pets”). People talk with each other to fill in names that match the criteria – the items generally lead to deeper conversations and information sharing, making it a great team building activity.
- Knowledge Sharing. In this activity, people move around and talk with each other, exchanging answers to two questions relevant to the team’s work: “I know about ….” And “I’d like to know more about….” The goal of the exercise is to connect people with complementary knowledge needs (e.g., match the person who knows about the new financial regulation with someone who would like to know more about those rules.)
These activities are all relatively simple to implement – most just need time on the calendar, and a little bit of preparation. People who know each other engage in teamwork more easily. Even casual events without an express goal can yield many benefits.
Choose a Seminar and Save $10
Styles & Strategies to Supervise Effectively
1 Day
- CEU: 0.6
- CPE: 6
Team Training - Virtual or In-person
Spark Innovation and Think Strategically
1 Day
- CEU: 0.6
- CPE: 6
Team Training - Virtual or In-person
How to Manage Remote Employees
1 Day
- CEU: 0.6
- CPE: 6
- HRCI: 5.5
- PDC: 6
Team Training - Virtual or In-person
A Crash Course for the First-Time Manager or Supervisor
1 Day
- CEU: 0.6
- CPE: 6
- HRCI: 5.5
- PDC: 6
Virtual Seminars:
-
Dec 5
-
Dec 10
-
Dec 11
-
+ 25 more dates
In-Person Events:
- Dec 5, Phoenix, AZ
- Dec 16, Anaheim, CA
-
+ 1 more dates
Transitioning to Supervisor
1 Day
- CEU: 0.6
- CPE: 6
Virtual Seminars:
-
Dec 5
-
Dec 10
-
Dec 11
-
+ 39 more dates
In-Person Events:
- Jan 15, Anaheim, CA
- Jan 16, San Diego, CA
-
+ 1 more dates
The Management Conference
2 Days
- CEU: 1.2
- CPE: 12
Virtual Seminars:
-
Dec 5-6
-
Dec 10-11
-
Dec 16-17
-
+ 2 more dates
How to Supervise People
1 Day
- CEU: 0.6
- CPE: 6
- PDC: 6
Virtual Seminars:
-
Dec 5
-
Dec 11
-
Dec 17
-
+ 20 more dates
Management & Leadership Skills for New Managers and Supervisors (2-Day)
2 Days
- CEU: 1.2
- CPE: 12
Virtual Seminars:
-
Dec 5-6
-
Dec 9-10
-
Dec 18-19
-
+ 26 more dates
In-Person Events:
- Dec 10-11, Orlando, FL
- Dec 12-13, Houston, TX
-
+ 14 more dates
How to Supervise Bad Attitudes and Negative Behaviors
1 Day
- CEU: 0.6
- CPE: 6
- HRCI: 5.5
- PDC: 6
Virtual Seminars:
-
Dec 5
-
Dec 10
-
Dec 18
-
+ 17 more dates
Leadership, Team-Building and Coaching Skills for Managers and Supervisors
1 Day
- CEU: 0.6
- CPE: 6
- HRCI: 5.5
- PDC: 6
Virtual Seminars:
-
Dec 5
-
Dec 9
-
Dec 11
-
+ 37 more dates
In-Person Events:
- Dec 11, Nashville, TN
- Dec 12, Oakbrook Terrace, IL
-
+ 13 more dates
Facilities Management - A 2-Day Comprehensive Course
2 Days
- CEU: 1.2
- CPE: 12
Virtual Seminars:
-
Dec 9-10
-
Dec 11-12
-
Dec 19-20
-
+ 21 more dates
Be the Manager Your Employees Want to Follow
1 Day
- CEU: 0.6
- CPE: 6
- PDC: 6
Virtual Seminars:
-
Dec 11
-
Dec 19
-
Jan 8
-
+ 8 more dates
Managing with Assertive Confidence
1 Day
- CEU: 0.6
- CPE: 6
Virtual Seminars:
-
Dec 12
-
Dec 18
-
Jan 10
-
+ 3 more dates
How Managers Become Great Leaders
1 Day
- CEU: 0.6
- CPE: 6
Virtual Seminars:
-
Dec 12
-
Dec 13
-
Dec 18
-
+ 10 more dates
In-Person Events:
- Mar 18, Sacramento, CA
- Mar 19, San Jose, CA
-
+ 2 more dates
The Indispensable Office Manager
1 Day
- CEU: 0.6
- CPE: 6
Virtual Seminars:
-
Dec 17
-
Jan 7
-
Jan 16
-
+ 6 more dates
Criticism & Discipline Skills for Managers and Supervisors
1 Day
- CEU: 0.6
- CPE: 6
- HRCI: 5.5
- PDC: 6
Virtual Seminars:
-
Dec 18
-
Jan 8
-
Jan 16
-
+ 7 more dates
How to Bargain & Negotiate with Vendors and Suppliers
1 Day
- CEU: 0.6
- CPE: 6
- HRCI: 5.5
Virtual Seminars:
-
Jan 8
-
Jan 13
-
Jan 24
-
+ 1 more dates