An Icebreaker For New Introductions

Here is a great Icebreaker for trainees who do not know each other but also can be used with those who do know each other.....

Name of Icebreaker  :  Famous Partners

Category of Icebreaker  :  Introductions / Communication

Time Scales  :  10 minutes or more depending on group size and how hard you make the partners.

Size of Group  :  Unlimited

Materials Required  :  Post it notes, enough for every participant.

Aim of Icebreaker  :  To encourage rapport, communication and questioning techniques.

Pre-Organisation

1. Create a list of famous partners.  For example: Adam & Eve,  Bonnie & Clyde, Romeo & Juliet, Laurel & Hardy, Bill & Ben, Butch & Sundance, Mary & Joseph, Jeeves & Wooster
2. Write each partner on a post it note.  (Best done in the morning of your training)

 Process

1. Stick a named post it note on to the back of every trainee.  You can do this subtly whilst walking round the room or alternatively you can ask them all to get in a line standing next to each other and facing the same way, then stick the post it notes on their backs.
    
2. Explain the idea of the game is to find your partner.
3. Since they can’t see who they are they must ask questions (closed questions) to other people who may only answer ‘Yes or No’ (am I a film star? Yes/No am I fictional Yes/No Am I male? Yes/No etc.)  They must not tell any of the trainees the name that is on their back.
4. As soon as they have found their partner they can start to get to know each other and either sit next to them for the rest of the training or alternatively they can return to their seats. 

NOTE: If you have an odd number you need to choose a trio (the Marx’s brothers, the 3 Musketeers) or use one of your helpers or yourself to make up a pair.

 Conclusion 

This icebreaker is fantastic for “Breaking the Ice” between the trainees.  It is great if you have a room of trainees who do not know each other, it gets them talking to each other and having some fun. 

It is also a great icebreaker for trainees who do know each other to help them get relaxed in the training room and have some fun at the start of the day.

It can also be used as an exercise for learning “Questioning Techniques” as the trainees have to use closed questions all the time to find out what they are.

 Happy Training!