Разминка для группы: как эффективно начать работу вместе

Form of brief facilitating exercise
An icebreaker is a brief facilitation exercise intended to help members of a group begin the process of working together or forming themselves into a team. Icebreakers are commonly presented as a game to "warm up" the group by helping the members to get to know each other. They often focus on sharing personal information such as names, hobbies, etc. Ice breakers are also used at social gatherings such as parties in order to introduce guests to one another in situations where they may not know one another. Many people dislike icebreaker games.

An icebreaker should be related to the subject or the purpose of the meeting. For example, if a collaborative learning environment is needed for a training project, then an icebreaker exercise that promotes collaboration could be chosen. If the subject of the meeting is literature, then the subject of the meeting could be introduced through an exercise that revolves around a participant's favourite books. Most icebreakers should promote an appropriate level of self disclosure, as this builds trust between participants in the group and helps develop group cohesiveness. Icebreakers should be relaxing and non threatening. For example, icebreakers in a professional setting should not require people to reveal personal information or to touch other people, as this may be stressful or culturally inappropriate. They should not embarrass the participants or make them feel compelled to participate. They should also not show disrespect for any social and professional hierarchies in the group, as this can be uncomfortable for participants. A simple activity without right or wrong answers can reduce anxiety for people who are in a new situation or an unfamiliar group of people. The icebreaker should allow people to experience the behaviors that are expected or desired within the group. For example, if the main group activities will use rigid turn taking during discussions, then the ice breaker should model rigid turn taking. An icebreaker can help people understand whether this will be a psychologically safe group that will accept different opinions. At the end of a well executed icebreaker exercise, the facilitator should be able to summarize for the group what was learned during the exercise or what the purpose of the icebreaker was.

Icebreakers are often disliked, but having participants feel awkward or think that the exercise is unpleasant does not impair their effectiveness in bringing individuals closer together. People who dislike icebreakers may be reacting to previous experience with irrelevant, pointless, or poorly designed icebreakers, which can feel like a waste of time. Participants may also show aspects of their personality, as people with different personalities or learning styles respond differently to the same exercise.

There are many different types of icebreakers. Some of the most common are:
Introductory icebreakers Often, when people get together for the first time, they do not all know one another. Introductory icebreaker games and activities not only help people begin to know each other, but also help them recognize and appreciate differences and similarities. Introductory icebreakers can be as simple as asking each person to tell the group their name and one fact about themselves, or they can be complicated exercises designed to build trust and a desire to work together. Getting to know you icebreakers Icebreakers are frequently presented in the form of a game to “warm up” a group by helping the members to get to know each other. They often focus on sharing information such as names, personal facts, hobbies, etc. Getting to know you icebreakers also help people who already know each other become more acquainted. Team building icebreakers Many icebreaker games are intended to help a group to begin the process of forming themselves into a team or teams. Some teamwork icebreakers, such as building activities, aid group dynamics by building trust, communication, and the ability to work together. Party (fun) icebreakers Party icebreakers introduce guests to one another. Use icebreakers that are simple and entertaining to coax people to converse and laugh. This sets the right mood for the rest of the party. Icebreaker questionsAs the name implies, icebreaker questions simply elicit information from people in an effort to get them comfortable and relaxed. Icebreaker questions can be serious or funny. The best icebreaker questions are designed specifically for an identified age and purpose and prepare people for activities or experiences that follow.