I dont have any corporate training, but was recently at a business dinner that needed some livening up and asked the group to name the most famous person they've met and how they met the person. There were some wild and interesting stories that had the table laughing/ engaged. Some named famous chefs, authors and politicians, others movie stars (Elizabeth Taylor!). Just a thought - it's totally superficial, but fun.

You are gay.

Anonymous wrote: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?

icebreaker for the board of an organization or company? These folks should all be extroverted enough to not need an icebreaker. Start out the meeting with some sort of social (breakfast, lunch, whatever). It will give folks time to chat.

Anonymous wrote:

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.

X2

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Pennies.

Give everyone a penny. Tell them to look at the date on said penny. Then have each person announce where they were/what happened to them that year (birth year, HS, got married, kids, covid, whatever) - small groups or in front of everyone.
I've done it both ways.

So, anyone who get an older penny needs to basically tell their age?

We can tell.

I walk out of meeting that start with ice breakers or any type of activity. Don’t waste people’s time and treat people like adults.

Ask them to describe the worst ice breaker they ever endured.

Tell them they are prohibited from saying “this one.”

Or, two truths and a lie, with no follow up allowed.

Everyone says their name, where they’re from, and what the worst thing they have ever done is.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Pennies.

Give everyone a penny. Tell them to look at the date on said penny. Then have each person announce where they were/what happened to them that year (birth year, HS, got married, kids, covid, whatever) - small groups or in front of everyone.
I've done it both ways.

I like this one.

It’s very awkward if people don’t like sharing their age.

You dont need to share their age just what happened that year.

If I had a penny with "2009" I would say we moved from X City to Y City where I tried skiing for the 1st time ever...

If you want to age yourself you can . You can say that 2009 is when you graduated X University (Go Mascot Y) and landed your 1st job.

You get the picture. It allows people to divulge as much as they want, but also let them be relatable or find a connection with others (I also lived in City Y and skiied at Z Mtn...).

Anonymous wrote:Don't do anything fun fact. Perhaps let people choose to share either an Interesting fact about themselves, a motto or saying they live by, or a favorite vacation spot.

What is the difference between a fun fact and an interesting fact?

Anonymous wrote:Pennies.

Give everyone a penny. Tell them to look at the date on said penny. Then have each person announce where they were/what happened to them that year (birth year, HS, got married, kids, covid, whatever) - small groups or in front of everyone.
I've done it both ways.

So, anyone who get an older penny needs to basically tell their age?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Pennies.

Give everyone a penny. Tell them to look at the date on said penny. Then have each person announce where they were/what happened to them that year (birth year, HS, got married, kids, covid, whatever) - small groups or in front of everyone.
I've done it both ways.

I like this one.

It’s very awkward if people don’t like sharing their age.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Pennies.

Give everyone a penny. Tell them to look at the date on said penny. Then have each person announce where they were/what happened to them that year (birth year, HS, got married, kids, covid, whatever) - small groups or in front of everyone.
I've done it both ways.

Mid avoid that because it can make age differences more obvious.

I know this is a typo for "I'd avoid" but "mid avoid" sounds so gen z which is very a propos.
I'd also avoid anything with dates.

Anonymous wrote:Pennies.

Give everyone a penny. Tell them to look at the date on said penny. Then have each person announce where they were/what happened to them that year (birth year, HS, got married, kids, covid, whatever) - small groups or in front of everyone.
I've done it both ways.

Mid avoid that because it can make age differences more obvious.

Pitchers of margaritas and play spin the bottle.

Definitely would break some ice and liven things up.

Or just get on with the meeting and do your jobs so everyone can get out of the office sooner.