Library of facilitation techniques

A physical-participation disentanglement puzzle that helps a group learn how to work together (self-organize) and can be used to illustrate the difference between self-organization and command-control management or simply as a get-to-know-you icebreaker. Standing in a circle, group members reach across to connect hands with different people. The group then tries to unravel the “human knot” by unthreading their bodies without letting go of each other people’s hands.

As a management-awareness game to illustrate required change in behavior and leadership on a management level (e.g., illustrate the change from ‘task-oriented’ management towards ‘goal/value-oriented’ management).

This is intended as an icebreaker before a training, but can also work as a  general icebreaker with 3 or more people.

The purpose of a retrospective is to reflect on the process of the team’s collaboration, rather than on the content of work itself. This opening icebreaker helps participants to get in a reflective mood and share their thoughts and feelings.

A fun and interactive icebreaker that uses a classic game of Jenga to spark meaningful conversations and strengthen team connections.

Facilitate a team conversation about personal strengths:

• Ask participants to pick from a set of strength card, e.g. one strength each for everyone in the group (or more for small groups)

• People take turns to “give” a strength to another team member, share how/when they have seen the strength in the other person and say thank you

• Everyone will end up with a set of strengths provided by other team members and feel belonging and appreciation

A positive and uplifting icebreaker that encourages team members to reflect on achievements, recognize each other’s contributions, and build a culture of appreciation.

Draw your mood is a simple icebreaker activity that encourages the group to share their feelings in a safe, creative manner.

A hands-on and creative icebreaker that uses LEGO bricks to help teams express ideas, challenges, and personal insights through metaphors.

A fast-paced, high-energy icebreaker where participants race to find everyday items based on fun prompts, sparking laughter and friendly competition.

Participants find other participants’ LinkedIn profiles (or other social media) and search for specific information to relay during program icebreakers.

Virtual High Five - energetic icebreaker for online groups

This is a fun icebreaker or energizer where participants are asked “What's in the bag?” It's a simple way to engage people and have fun getting to know each other, it gets participants to step into the space together. Each team gets points for any items that are called out that they have with them.