Icebreakers that don’t suck
Collaborating across four teams, we present to you 50 icebreakers that don’t suck.
Context
In collaboration with the Research and Insights team, my team ran tests for usability, visual design, and messaging on our events website. While sieving through the results, Pierce quickly noticed that a common thread where our attendees are seeking better networking experiences at our events, but lacked the tools to do so.
Role
Creative direction | Research | Project management | Content strategy | Experience design
Process
After identifying the problem, I quickly identified existing programs and content that we could leverage to build a solution.
I was able to work with Lauren P to use an existing blog post on Atlassian’s blog on Icebreakers that we could tailor for the experience we were trying to build.
We also worked with Lauren W who owned Atlassian’s Braindate partnership, a platform which was already built for networking. I was quickly able to convince her of the integrations, and how it would improve the attendees’ networking experience.
Using what we’ve already built
Atlassian’s Work Life blog has already done their own research on the best practices around icebreaker questions, and it was a perfect jumping off point for our projects.
The blog post “148 icebreaker questions you’ll keep coming back to” identified similar frustrations around traditional ways to facilitate conversations. Kat outlines what made icebreakers effective, and offers a collection ion questions that feel authentic and thought provoking.
Design
Leveraging “148 icebreaker questions you’ll keep coming back to” I tailored and wrote 50 icebreakers that were meant to be approached from both a work perspective, and a personal perspective – reflecting the theme of Atlassian’s Work Life blog.
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How would your coworkers describe you in three words?
What’s the most memorable moment in your career so far?
If you could master any skill immediately, what would it be?
What’s the biggest misconception about your role at work?
If you could switch roles with anyone at your company, who would it be?
What advice would you give someone just starting out in your field?
What’s your favorite thing about working in your industry?
What’s the most unusual piece of swag you’ve ever received?
What’s your favorite way to celebrate a work-related achievement?
Who on your team do you trust the most and why?
Dark mode or light mode?
How did you end up in your current job?
If you could have another career, what would it be?
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
What’s your go-to productivity playlist or music?
If you could change one thing about your job, what would it be?
What’s the best work-related book you’ve read?
How do you unwind after a busy or stressful day?
If you could work from anywhere in the world, where would it be?
Who is your dream career mentor?
If you could automate one part of your job, what would it be?
What’s the most rewarding part of the job?
What’s the most productive time of day for you?
If you could design your perfect office, what would it look like?
What quote or mantra motivates you at work?
What’s your favorite day of the work week?
What’s one thing that’s always on your desk?
What’s the funniest thing that’s happened to you during a video call?
What’s something we’d be surprised to find on your desk?
What’s your go-to workday snack?
What’s your favorite work lunch?
What’s your favorite or most-used emoji at work?
What’s your favorite job perk?
What’s a work acronym that you secretly don’t understand?
How many open browser tabs is too many?
Do you prefer using your mouse, trackpad, or keyboard shortcuts?
What’s your current desktop wallpaper and why?
Do you prefer to take notes on paper or digitally?
If you had to pick a team mascot, what would it be and why?
What’s something your team does that you think every team should try?
What’s your favorite way to collaborate with your coworkers?
How would you describe your job to a child?
You have to give your team a presentation on any subject. What’s it about?
Do you and your team have any traditions or inside jokes?
What’s your favorite company celebration?
Do you tend to take your vacation days one at a time, or all at once?
What is one work skill you think everyone should have?
How do you get and stay motivated for difficult tasks?
What does the perfect work week look like to you?
What does the perfect work week look like to you?
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What’s the best vacation you’ve ever been on?
How would your loved ones describe you in three words?
What’s your best childhood memory?
What’s an unexpected life lesson you’ve learned?
What’s a surprising “fun fact” about you?
If you could switch lives with someone for a day, who would you be?
What advice would you give to your younger self?
What’s your favorite family tradition?
What’s the most unusual thing you’ve ever seen in someone’s home?
What’s your favorite way to celebrate your birthday?
Who in your life do you trust the most and why?
Early bird or night owl?
What was your first job?
What’s one thing you’ve always wanted to try but haven’t yet?
What’s your favorite life hack?
What TV show are you currently watching?
What’s a habit you’re trying to break or build?
If you would only read one book for the rest of your life, what would it be?
What do you like to do in your free time?
If you could live in any country for a year, which one would you choose?
Who’s the most famous person you’ve ever met?
What’s your least favorite chore?
What’s a cause or charity that means a lot to you?
Would you prefer a city, beach, or mountain vacation?
What style of house is you dream home?
When was the last time you felt inspired to create something?
What’s your favorite holiday?
What’s one of your most treasured possessions?
What’s the weirdest (SFW!) thing you’ve every Googled?
What’s something we’d be surprised to find in your home?
What’s your favorite cuisine?
What’s one of the best meals you’ve ever had?
What’s your favorite or most -used emoji?
What’s your favorite hobby, and what do you like about it?
What’s something people like that you just can’t get behind?
How many pairs of shoes do you own, and how many is too many?
What’s your favorite kitchen gadget?
What’s your current cellphone wallpaper and why?
What’s your favorite physical music format? (vinyl, cassette, CD)
What’s one of your nicknames and how did you get it?
What’s something your family does that you think everyone should try?
What’s your favorite thing to do with your family?
What was your dream job as a kid?
If you had to teach a class or give a talk, what would it be about?
What’s a superstition you believed as a child (or still believe)?
What’s your favorite celebration or special occasion?
Are you a homebody or a traveler?
What is a life skill you think everyone should have?
How do you motivate yourself to get chores done around the hours?
What does the perfect weekend look like to you?
Icebreakers + Braindates
Atlassian partners with the networking platform Braindate to host discussions with Team attendees. We had icebreaker cards available at every table, allowing attendees to start their discussions with icebreakers if they chose to.
More excitingly, we also used the icebreaker questions to generate discussion topics that attendees could claim or just be inspired by for their own topics of discussion
What’s the most intriguing piece of swag you’ve ever received?
I took the opportunity to host a Braindate session while at Atlassian’s annual conference, where I met with 6 attendees to discuss conference swag. The attendees ranged from new users of Atlassian products, to long-time members of Atlassian’s Community. We ended the session with a show and tell where we learned that little zipper pouches were a fan favorite!
Unforseen reach
The icebreakers were also featured on Atlassian’s social platforms and virtual livestreams, where the host asked attendees on the show floor icebreaker questions. More surprisingly they were also featured in a podcast where Mike shared what his phone’s current wallpaper was on a live taping for The Jira Life.