Meaning
A short, informal activity or conversational question at the start of a meeting designed to help participants relax and connect.
Three examples from work
Remote meeting kickoff
FacilitatorLet's do a quick one-minute icebreaker while everyone joins the call.
ColleagueWhat was the most interesting book or podcast you discovered this month?
Team retrospective
Scrum MasterA lighthearted icebreaker puts the team in a relaxed mindset for candid reflection.
DevIt definitely helps ease tension after a stressful release week.
Client workshop
ConsultantStarting our discovery workshop with an interactive icebreaker engaged all stakeholders immediately.
PMPeople felt comfortable speaking up from the very beginning.
Use icebreakers at the start of long meetings, workshops, or when onboarding new remote team members to build camaraderie.