8 Virtual Icebreakers For Getting To Know Your Remote Team

As much as staying connected to conduct business is critical during this unprecedented time, so are the relationships that you build with your team and other coworkers. This is not a time for business as usual and you need to give serious consideration to helping each other stay focused, happy, and productive. Instead of meeting one another in a conference room, phone calls, video chats and instant messaging are the key ways to communicate and collaborate. Over the past 10 years, I have led remote teams for small and large companies across three continents. Getting team members better acquainted and building a strong company culture has been key to our success. Collective Knowledge is the perfect virtual icebreaker for new groups because it doesn’t put any one person on the spot right away.

By using the metaphor of a rollercoaster this alternative version supports participants to think differently about how they are feeling. People place themselves at different points on the rollercoaster, explaining their dominant feeling right now. Checking in is one of the best ways you can quickly break the ice and start your session off on the right foot. When working in online meetings, it can be helpful to include interactive, visual elements to any activity.

To break down the “work” barrier

Ask everyone what their parents almost named them or what they wanted their name to be as a kid. If someone doesn’t have an answer to either question, they can also talk about their childhood nickname. Everyone can say one thing their families celebrated during any time of the year to reminisce about some of their favorite memories. They could mention them by name, or you could pick titles for a fun challenge.

Not only is this game a fun way to engage employees, but it also helps promote team bonding and build team morale. Icebreakers are helpful for starting a meeting in a icebreakers for virtual meetings way that’s not, well, bland. The right icebreaker questions get adults talking, build rapport, and help people connect so they can talk about the serious stuff later.

Two-Word Check-In

You can begin with everyone just throwing random facts out there, asking questions, and seeing where they can make connections—even if it’s a stretch! For example, you might say, “I love to cook.” Another coworker might then say, “I’m a terrible cook, but I love to eat. My favorite food is Italian.” Someone else might chime in, “I speak Italian! I studied abroad in Rome my senior year of college.” From there, you might discover that you’ve all been to Rome, and this could lead to sharing stories about those trips. After throwing some ideas and questions out there, eventually, you might find a shared hobby, like you all know how to play piano.