Team Building and Icebreakers

Benefits of Team Building
Employees...
-Work together to solve problems
-Learn and practice effective communication skills
-Identify strengths in themselves and others
-Create a support system and build trust in one another
-Bond as they go through the same experiences
-Face their fears and come out on top
-Increase their productivity

Ice Breakers
1 Truth/1 Lie - Participants tell one truth and one lie and others have to guess which one is the lie.
The Human Web - Participants make a circle and take 2 different people's hands across from them, then participants must untangle the web without letting go of each others hands
Ball Challenge - Participants have to toss the ball to another person while saying their name. As the game progresses, participants must toss the ball within 2 seconds of receiving it.
Guess the Famous Person Challenge - Names of famous people (actors, historical figures, scientists, artists, etc.) are placed on the backs of the participants. Participants must go around and ask each other yes/no questions about the person on their back. (i.e. Is it a person? Are they on TV? etc)

Benefits of an Ice Breaker
-Participants are more engaged in proceedings
-Contribute more effectively towards a successful outcome
-Allows participants to get to know one another
-Breaks down the barriers to communication
-Participants buy into the purpose of the event

When to Use Icebreakers
-Participants come from different backgrounds
-People need to bond quickly to work towards a common goal
-For a newly formed team
-Topics being discussed are new or unfamiliar to many people involved
-As facilitator, you need to get to know participants and have them know you better