If you are not a member of AGB, you should be.

The best way to help people know each other and trust each other is to have them actually solve a problem together. Assuming you don’t want to do some silly problem (puzzle, cross the river with alligators) you can break into small groups of 4 or so and have them discuss and think about a problem or question. What is the biggest risk we are facing, why do you think the campaign fell flat, whatever. Something you need to really pause and think about. Then each group shares with the full group.

Pass out free breakfast for 30 minutes. Who ever wants to talk, can talk and get to know one another then. If not, just eat.

Jeopardy with prizes.

So that is about 1 minute per person. You could make a list of hobbies or silly activities and then just ask people to raise hands if they have tried them (think skydiving or attempting to write a novel). That way no one else has to speak and if people are private they don’t have to share.

At my firm we broke into groups no bigger than 8, each person wrote a "fun fact" about themselves and tossed it in a basket in the middle of the table and then we had to guess who each fun fact belonged to. And that's how I found out one partner was a yoga instructor and a coworker was a body builder.

You said 30 min or under. Are they looking for you to come up with an activity?

Anonymous wrote:OP here:
The ice breaker thing is not my idea. Its something I've been told I need to develop for the meeting (and I am also an introvert). I do think it's important just to establish some connectivity so we can work together. Please, bring on the ideas of how to help me connect everyone in the best way possible given that the board chair and executive leadership is asking for this.

Make sure that everyone knows that it was not your idea. What a waste of time. I had an old Federal client that did those things, terrible project manager, but so proud of her PMP.

If you must, just ask them to introduce themselves. Please don't ask for a fun fact.

OP here:
The ice breaker thing is not my idea. Its something I've been told I need to develop for the meeting (and I am also an introvert). I do think it's important just to establish some connectivity so we can work together. Please, bring on the ideas of how to help me connect everyone in the best way possible given that the board chair and executive leadership is asking for this.

Only the extraverts will like or appreciate an ice breaker. Don't do it.

Anonymous wrote:Please don’t. No adult wants to do an ice breaker.

If you insist, have them break into random groups of four for a few minutes and just talk with one another. Then later split into a different group of four and talk with those people. (Or assign tables to random groups at a breakfast and lunch)

This.

Please don’t. No adult wants to do an ice breaker.

If you insist, have them break into random groups of four for a few minutes and just talk with one another. Then later split into a different group of four and talk with those people. (Or assign tables to random groups at a breakfast and lunch)

Patrón

Looking for new or creative ice breaker activities to warm up a board of trustees. 30 minutes or less. Google and AI have not been much help. The board is comprised of men and women, ages 40-70, diverse backgrounds, introverts and extroverts, some of whom are new, some on the board for 6+ years. Group size is 25 people. Everyone appreciates efficient use of time while also being able to connect new members with the more seasoned members as quickly as possible. What has worked for your group?