Ice

People rarely succeed unless they are having fun in what they are doing. ~ Dale Carnegie

If you're a leader who does monthly meetings with your team, you're probably always looking for ways to improve attendance. One of the best ways to do this is to make sure everyone feels comfortable and has fun at your meetings. That's why, in the beginning of your meeting, the most important thing you can do is get everyone in the room involved and having a great time.

First of all, set the mood. Make sure you have some great, upbeat music as people arrive and some light refreshments (let's face it, if I know there's free food, I'm much more likely to show up). Then, once you welcome everyone, consider taking a few minutes to play a short "icebreaker" game.

 
The following simple game is taken from our "Smart Leader's Meeting Planning System" and will set the mood for your meeting:

 

“OFFICE AIRLINES” Icebreaker Game
(This game takes approximately 10 minutes)

Divide your group into 2 teams. Give each team a sheet of paper, marking pens, and a paperclip. Instruct participants to work with their teammates to create a paper airplane they feel will travel a long distance. Each team must name their airline and decorate their plane accordingly – using the marking pens. Planes are limited to one piece of paper and may use one paperclip anywhere on the plane if needed. After construction is completed, conduct the flights. The team with the plane traveling the longest distance wins a prize (bag of peanuts and soda, plastic toy pilot wings, etc.).

Consider asking a few de-briefing questions after the game has concluded:

1.      How well did you work together in constructing your airplanes?
2.      How did teamwork affect your results … and your experience?
3.      If you had to identify one piece of key learning from this activity that we can apply to our businesses, what would it be?

Effective questions can be the single-most potent tool in any leader’s toolbox. They create a mindset shift away from problem orientation and limitations – and toward solution orientation and possibilities.

How about you? Have any great ideas for icebreakers at your meetings?

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Julie Anne Jones is a success language consultant, a direct sales coach and trainer, and the CEO of Julie Anne Jones, Inc. She is known for her authentic and easy-to-use scripting and specializes in specific language and tools for success in direct sales. To learn more about Julie Anne and her products and services, visit her at www.julieannejones.com or check out her blog at http://julieannejones.com.