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Icebreakers are an opener into training, and can serve multiple purposes.
Openers help to prepare people for training. When we start a workshop, as a trainer
we are fully ready for the program that has been prepared. Our participants,
however, can come from all kinds of places; they may be thinking about a project at
work, worried about something at home, checking their
phone for messages, or
distracted by a myriad of things. In order for our training to be effective, we have to break through
participants’ barriers and tap into their motivation. Openers are important because they set the tone for
learning, gain attention, and break pre-occupations.
Many openers serve more than one purpose, and the work of the trainer involves selecting the activity
that will best meet the needs of the group. For example, if you are training a group of people who know
each other very well and work together every day, an introductory or networking icebreaker may not be
very interesting for them. Focusing on team building, however, by having them complete a task
together, could really help them through the training. People that do not know one another well can
really benefit from getting to know you or networking activities.
The other important role of the icebreaker relates to tension. If there is tension in the room or amongst
participants, that tension can interfere with retention. There are different types of tension that you can
be aware of, and plan to reduce, with the training that you design.
Task tension can build when a learner is working on a completely new task or learning
experience. Learning new software, rules, or policies can all contribute to task tension.
Relationship tension can occur when a learner has been embarrassed previously in a classroom,
or is afraid of being singled out.
Personal tension can occur when a learner is concerned about work building up while they are in
training, waiting for a phone call about something significant, or distracted by a personal matter.
The right opening activity will assure learners that they are in a safe place where their learning needs
will be met, and that they are respected contributors to the learning process.
Energizers are exactly that. They are a short (often 5-10 minute) activity that also can serve more than
one purpose. An energizer can:
Reconnect a group (for example, bring people back together after a coffee or lunch break)
Inject some energy into the group if you notice that people are getting tired or not
concentrating
Break tension or provide some fun or humor
There are resources with pre-written icebreakers and energizers in the activities folder. These are useful
guides, and you can often modify the activities to suit your training needs.