When I began working at Xerox almost 25 years ago, I had the pleasure of learning how to deliver training from the great Emmett Reagan. He was responsible for teaching every Xerox instructor how to conduct his or her training program. Emmett was a longtime “Xeroid” and when he spoke about training, you listened. One of the first things Emmett taught me was not just how, but why, to run an icebreaker in a training program.
The “how” to run an icebreaker is the easy part. It can be as simple as writing down a couple of questions on a flipchart and moving around the room soliciting responses. It might also be segmenting the room into groups of two, and having each participant interview and then introduce the partners they have just met. The combinations of icebreaker activities are endless, but the results and the impact on the mood of the room are fairly predictable.
However, Emmett Reagan also taught me “why” to run an icebreaker. When you bring people from different companies or departments together, the success of your program often depends on the level of participation from the group. A good icebreaker can teach you a lot about the personalities in the room. Spotting the social personalities gives a speaker important information about who to guide questions to if none are being asked. The speaker can also learn who are the more aggressive personalities, as well as other personality roles to watch out for when bringing people together.
A good icebreaker can teach you better ways to communicate and connect information to the participants. I’ve never run an icebreaker without slipping in a question about hobbies. You would think a question like that is asked for the enjoyment of the individual, but it actually provides extremely important information to me. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve reached a roadblock trying to communicate a particular concept to a participant, only to reach out and connect my topic to his or her hobby.
Yes, there are many great reasons to run an icebreaker to warm up a room of participants. So why is it that icebreakers seems to be one of the first things cut from the agenda? I can tell you in one word; “time.” Icebreakers take time to complete, and even the pros like Rob Jolles fall into the trap of believing that the thirty minutes or so a good icebreaker can take might be better used by filling that slot with more curriculum and counting on facilitation skills to warm up the room.
I have been guilty of doing just that; I have been taking out the icebreaker exercises in my seminars until a few weeks ago. I was conducting a program that had participants coming in from all over the country, and I thought the time would be well served spending a short period of time letting them get to know each other and me.
The change in the mood was palpable: It went from a quiet, reserved environment to a high energy, intensive participation program. That’s because the group had bonded. I was hearing a steady stream of excellent questions from many individuals because they didn’t just feel safe with me; they felt safe with each other. At the end of the program, participants from different companies were exchanging contact information; They were building study groups, with the intent of having conference calls once a month to reinforce what had been learned. They were looking for ways to support each other in the implementation of the ideas taught. That wasn’t my idea; it was theirs!
It’s surprising how we often move away from helpful habits, and not because they are no longer useful, but because we are simply tired of doing the same thing. Something as simple as an icebreaker, that was taught to me 25 years ago, is just as relevant as ever. The next time you are beginning a program, don’t forget to sacrifice the time necessary to warm up the room. Emmett was right: It is time well spent.
Once again, you point out something that all of us need to be reminded about.
By the way, I just read your new book, How To Change Minds, and it was very easy to read. I read it on the plane, and I see ways I use what you talk about both at work and with my wife and kids. You have a great way of explaining it. Thanks, Rob.
I think another reason ice-breakers are often cut is that people see them as frivolous fluff and not helpful (at least where I work, which involves introverted techies, not sales training). The secret for getting ice-breakers to work in my work environment is to make them related to the topic at hand. Then people will willingly participate, even if they don’t love “chatting up a stranger.”
Hi Rob:
You are so right-Education folks have been using these forever with staff training and with students. Over my many many years in both public schools and at the University level, I have learned that it is not just making time for the ice breaker but it is imperative to make time for sharing and debriefing. People like and need to feel their thoughts and contributions have value so sharing with each other and with the whole group is essential. It is especially important to try, when appropriate, to tie some of the outcomes to the goals and issues of the training. This aspect helps minimize or even eradicate the notion that the ice breaker was fluff.
You are terrific.
Hey Rob! It’s all about “Communicating” – isn’t it? Whether it’s the opening ‘icebreaker’, the middle ‘program’, or the closing ‘thanks for coming, folks – let’s keep in touch!’ – the ‘magic’ word – is “Communicating’! That’s why I started doing “Communicating Today” on Ch 10 – 23 years ago….and on which you were a terrific guest last week!!!
I just finished the 1st 50 pages of ‘How To Change Minds’ – and am having an enjoyable time – being ‘entertained’ by your great ‘style’ of writing! You’re ‘fun’ – to read!
JM
“C.T.”
P.S. – I’m STILL looking for your beloved ‘Robblehead!
Rob,
You are spot on. Many a speech etc has been spoilt becaus eof lack of the ` ice breaker` . Even in casual chit chat in a room full of strangers, one subtle ice-breaker can go a long way in making all the people relax and makes communication much easier.
Excellent article Rob! Thanks.
Rob,
Nicely said and explained…
Often ice-breakers are painfully cheesy, which might be another reason people like cutting them out. They can be a bit of an ordeal for introverts. I agree they’re important though.
This blog was super-interesting because it never occurred to me that the workshop leader might be using the icebreaker as a way to collect data about me. 🙂