Try these fun, thought-provoking questions to kick off more engagement and creativity

Whether this is your hundredth committee meeting or a video introduction to a new group of people, it can be hard to get past those first few awkward minutes. It seems a little brusque to skip the small talk and jump straight to business. On the other hand, nobody wants to sit in silence until the first agenda item comes up.

One of the best ways to segue from social pleasantries to business matters is with ice breaker questions for work meetings. These friendly queries invite those present to make their voice heard on an interesting topic so everyone feels more engaged. The only problem is thinking of what to ask. That’s why we’ve got you covered with 10 of our favorites.

For more effective strategies on running hybrid meetings and presentations, check out our guide, How to run a meeting that maximizes collaboration and efficiency.

When and how to use ice breaker questions for work meetings

Want to add an ice breaker to your meeting agenda? Fortunately, they’re simple to use — as long as you follow a few best practices.

• Start with the ice breaker: Maybe it sounds obvious, but ice breakers work best when they come first. If the meeting is so packed with important announcements and discussions that an ice breaker can’t fit at the front, it may be best to skip it.
• Set aside time on the agenda: There are two reasons to treat an ice breaker like any other agenda item. First, it ensures the group gives it the time it needs to have the desired effect. Second, it gives you a reason to politely move things along if someone is taking too long.
• Answer it yourself first: An ice breaker should never feel like an ambush or interrogation. You can make people feel more comfortable by leading off with your answer. That also gives them more time to think of what they want to say.
• Not every meeting needs one: If you have a casual, daily standup with a small team, you probably don’t need an ice breaker for it. These questions tend to be best for meetings where the attendees don’t all work together on a daily basis.

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10 ice breakers for remote meetings and in-person gatherings

Let’s get this meeting started right. Here are 10 ice breaker questions for work meetings, including how to use them and why they’re some of our favorites.

1. “If you could have any superpower, what would it be?”

This question is a classic for a reason. It’s interesting to think about but abstract enough that it doesn’t feel too serious (unless your work involves cosmic rays and radioactive spiders). Yet the answers can say a lot about what employees value in life. Someone who wants to fly may enjoy travel and a sense of freedom, for instance.

2. “What’s the best concert or performance you’ve ever been to?”

Live events can bring people together even long after the curtain call. Asking about favorite performances is a chance to get to know some of their tastes. It also lets coworkers relive some of their favorite memories and open up about a part of their life they may not usually bring to work.

3. “What one piece of media would you take with you to live on a deserted island?”

This ice breaker is another chance to learn about colleagues’ tastes. Yet the context is important; rather than something you experienced once and loved, this is something you’d love to experience over and over again. Do your coworkers opt for old favorites? Do they finally try something they’ve been meaning to forever? Or do they get silly and talk about bringing the biggest book possible to crack open coconuts?

4. “What’s something you’ve learned on the job in the last three months?”

This question keeps things more work-related, but it’s still open-ended enough that nobody should feel stuck. If you’d like to hear more non-traditional answers, consider opening with one of your own. Did you learn the secret best setting on the coffee machine or how to find a good parking spot every time?

5. “What’s one non-work related skill you could teach your colleagues?”

If you want someone to feel engaged, ask them about something they’re good at! This question takes the pressure off finding the “productive” answer by specifying that the skill shouldn’t be work-related. It’s a great way to find ideas for employee-led teambuilding events, too.

Did You Know?:If it’s time to rethink your meeting space, our conference room setup checklist will help you find everything you need.

6. “What’s one thing you do at work that people may not realize?”

A lot goes into an effective business — including tons of work people may not see. This question invites employees to share a little something they do that helps keep things humming along. It could be official, like making sure all the reports are alphabetized. Or it could be a little gesture of kindness, like refilling the candy bowl.

7. “If you came with an instruction manual for coworkers, what would the first page say?”

This question is super practical. It’s a more whimsical way of asking, “what’s the best way to work with you?” The answers will say a lot about how each person likes to interact and collaborate with their colleagues. If anybody tries to say it’s just a bunch of warranty information, ask them to flip to the next page.

8. “What was your favorite subject in school and why?”

Some people enjoyed their school years more than others. But just about everybody could find at least one subject they enjoyed. Whether it was making vinegar volcanos in science, playing dodgeball in gym, or exploring any other subject, these answers open a window to another time in your colleagues’ lives.

9. “What’s the most fun you’ve ever had at work?”

We’ll round out this list of ice breakers for remote meetings and beyond with a pair of questions that double as handy research. Asking employees about fun they’ve had at work gives you an opportunity to recreate those circumstances (or do even better). It’s great for finding fulfilling areas to pursue.

10. “If you had to change one thing about our organization, what would it be?”

Consider this the “hard mode” of ice breaker questions — you may want to save it for a group you’ve already met with several times before. Noting that they have to change something removes any pressure to avoid making waves with an “it’s perfect already.” So what do they really want to see? It’s a valuable perspective that may otherwise go unvoiced.

Make your next meeting more inclusive and productive

Hybrid and multi-location workplaces add extra challenges to running a great meeting, but modern technology can help. If you’re looking for more ways to keep your employees engaged and involved, don’t stop with ice breaker questions for work meetings.

The RICOH Meeting 360 is a 3-in-1 video conferencing device that brings attendees together, no matter where they are. Its panoramic views and Active Speaker Focus help capture attendees’ faces all throughout the meeting room. Meanwhile, its omnidirectional microphone array and three built-in 8-watt speakers ensure every idea is heard.

Find out more about how the RICOH Meeting 360 can help you build a better meeting today.

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