Duration
5 to 15 minutes max.
Materials
None, just the room you are in. Clear the chairs to the side if needed.
Origin of Tool
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Website
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The Ice Breaker - Learning about each other
Expected outcome
Tool to use with new groups, as an ice breaker which also provides info for all about shared background, practices and ideals of the other group members.
Abstract
Individuals in new groups may have trouble getting to know each other, especially in a workshop with a packed program. This tool helps to break the ice and is meanwhile very informative about all trivial or more in depth info individuals would like to know about their fellow group members.
Content
Invite all group members to form a circle. Then instruct them by giving one or two examples of what you’d like them to do, all in turn after each other or randomly / popcorn style.
Instruction: think of a question you’d like to ask all of the group. Then say, “Everyone who….” . For example, “Everyone who has kids, step forward”. All group members who have children, step forward into the circle. The rest remain on their spot. If you ask for all who share a certain opinion, those who adhere that opinion strongly, step further toward the center of the circle than those who only mildly support it. For example, “Everyone who likes to discuss politics, step forward”.
Wrap up
As an additional instruction, you may stress that all can memorize those with the same interests, in order to have a more in depth 1:1 conversation during one of the breaks later in the program.
Contribute
Feel free to contact us and share your own tools!