Can you honestly say that you know your coworkers? Hybrid work has given us many benefits. Unfortunately, it has its faults as well. Aside from learning their home decorating scheme, we now know a lot less about our coworkers. Working from home part or all of the time means you no longer run into coworkers at the coffee shop down the street. In a previous life, you could go get lunch together. It may seem strange to think that learning your worker is a vegetarian or likes their coffee with whole milk helps us become a stronger team. These interactions help us learn about each other and find common ground. Perhaps you have been thinking about changing your diet. Now you know you have someone to talk to about it. When we combine these small interactions together, we bond.
What is the goal of team-building questions?
Team building questions help us learn more about each other. We probably know what city people live in or what their pet’s name is. But do you know if they have any hidden talents? These team-building questions should help us learn about our teams:
- Strengths
- Weaknesses
- What excites them
Learning what makes someone tick, humanizes them, and helps the team bond. Don’t take our word for it though. An Ohio State University study shows that “Workplace teams are better when they include your friends”
How to introduce or start off the team building questions/icebreakers
We’ve discussed the why. Now let’s talk about the how. Team-building questions shouldn’t be asked randomly. If you introduce them without giving people notice, then they won’t be able to give a response that is well thought out.
There are some perfect opportunities to ask these questions such as new employee orientations and team-building events. You can add them to your weekly or even daily meeting. First, announce that you are going to start adding them to the meeting so that everyone knows to expect it.
Team Building Questions
Imagine what you could learn about your coworkers if you started every meeting with a question. Nothing complex or controversial. Just tiny little questions.
So now you know that you aren’t going to be asked the square root of 2022 (44.96 in case you were wondering) you may be wondering “What is a good example of a team-building question?” Instead of asking complex math questions, ask “What is your favorite flavor of ice cream?”
What are good questions to ask a team?
Common team-building questions
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would it be, and why?
What is a piece of advice from a mentor or family member that stuck with you?
What are some items on your bucket list?
Are you a night person or a morning person?
Do you have any hidden talents?
What would you tell your younger self?
What’s your favorite musical instrument?
What would you take with you if you were going to be stuck on a deserted island?
What was the best gift you got? Did you get it for your birthday, Christmas, or another celebration?
Do you consider yourself a dog person or a cat person?
What did you think about first when you woke up this morning?
What one thing do you own that you wish you didn’t?
What is your biggest addiction?
“If You Could” Team Building Questions
If you could have dinner with anyone, alive or dead, who would you choose and why?
If you could earn $20 million dollars by giving up one important thing in your life forever, what would it be?
If you could cure any disease or ailment, what would you choose?
If you could earn $500,000 to give up your smartphone for 2 years, would you do it?
If you could experience something again for the first time, what would it be?
If you suddenly became a billionaire, would you still work?
If you could go back in time 10 years and retain all your current memories, would you?
If you could have the choice to be famous, would you do it?
Travel Team Building Questions
Do you prefer to go to the mountains or the ocean?
Do you like hot weather or cold weather when you travel?
What country would you move to if you had the chance to move abroad?
What was your first vacation spot?
Have you been outside of the country?
Do you look for keepsakes when you travel to remember your trip?
Either-Or Questions
Marvel or DC?
Fall or spring?
iPhone or Android?
Beach or mountains?
Driving or flying?
Cold or hot weather?
Left or right-handed?
McDonald’s or Burger King?
Pepsi or Coke?
Ice cream or cake?
What are some fun questions to ask coworkers?
Job-Related Icebreaker Questions
What is your dream job?
If you could swap jobs with anyone for a day, who would it be?
What would your perfect office space be like?
Do you like working remotely, or do you prefer to work in an office?
What work-from-home (WFH) accessory can you not live without?
What beverage do you prefer to drink while you work?
Do you feel more productive if you work at a specific time of day? Or in a particular area of your house?
Have you ever worked in your pajamas or sweatpants?
Childhood Icebreaker Questions
What cartoon character did you love growing up?
What’s your earliest childhood memory?
When did you get your first job?
What subject did you enjoy the most in school?
What subject did you like the least while you were in school?
Did you play on sports teams while in school? Or were you involved in band or theater?
Have you kept any of your childhood hobbies into adulthood?
What toy did you take with you everywhere you went?
Did you ever have an imaginary friend? What were they like? What did you call them?
What job did you want to have when you grew up? Would you still take that job if you could get it?
“Would You Rather” Team Building Questions
Would you rather land your dream job or win the lottery?
Would you rather go to a loud party or a quiet get-together?
Would you rather retire early or work an easy career?
Would you rather be indoors or outdoors?
Would you rather drive or fly somewhere?
Would you rather scuba dive or hike up a mountain?
Would you rather work alone or with a team?
Would you rather lead a team or work for a great leader?
Would you rather have one long, 3-week vacation or three 1-week vacations?
What are some fun icebreaker questions?
Food Icebreaker Questions
What is your favorite food?
What is your favorite breakfast food?
What culture or country makes your favorite style of food?
What toppings would you put on your ideal pizza? How do you feel about pineapple and ham?
If you could only eat one kind of ice cream for the rest of your life, what would it be?
Do you prefer sweet, spicy, or savory snacks?
What fast food restaurant do you prefer? What do you order when you go there?
Famous People Icebreaker Questions
What would you do with 15 minutes of fame?
Which living person do you admire the most?
What’s your favorite movie?
What famous individual would you like to meet?
Do you know the lyrics to your favorite song?
What cartoon character best reflects your personality?
Who is your favorite late-night talk show host?
Who is your favorite superhero?
If you could only watch one movie, what would it be?
What is your favorite video game?
What genre of music do you like to listen to when you work? Is that your favorite genre?
What movie or show do you think is completely overrated?
Film, Media & Music Icebreaker Questions
What is your favorite music genre?
What’s your favorite movie?
What’s your favorite book?
What’s your favorite TV show?
Have you ever acted? What was your role?
What’s your favorite song to listen to when you’re feeling down?
What was your favorite band in high school?
What’s the worst movie you’ve ever seen?
What’s your favorite childhood movie?
