Best Icebreaker: Connection Before Content

Are you looking for an awesome warm-up activity to use? Well, you just have found the best meeting icebreaker: connection before content. So, watch it until the end and get into it.

Or you might consider jumping into my Connection Before Content Masterclass here:

What To Watch Next:
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An Absolutely Amazing, Simple Group Icebreaker

CARDS DECKS, BOOKS & TOOLS
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✅ Get DIY Tools to make connection and engagement easy:

WORK WITH CHAD
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✅ Book Chad Littlefield to speak at your next virtual or in-person event:

SHOP OUR TOOLS ON AMAZON:
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🧰 Connection Toolkit:

🧰 We! Connect Cards Icebreaker Question Deck
🧰 We! Engage Cards Team Building Deck
🧰 Pocket Guide to Facilitating Human Connections
🧰 Ask Powerful Questions (#1 Amazon Bestseller)
🧰 Guided Journal

✏️ Drop your own tips, tools & ideas in the COMMENTS section in order to build an open library of clever ideas related to this topic.

Key Moments in this Episode
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00:00 Essential Reframe
01:34 The Fundamental Requirement
01:52 Connection To The Purpose
02:19 Authenticity And Vulnerability
02:49 What Questions Can Be Asked
03:02 How To Facilitate The Activity
04:26 Purposeful And Valuable Connection
05:24 The Importance Of Clear Intention
06:10 Become A Master Of Connection Before Content

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Nate Woodbury - YouTube Producer

#Icebreaker
#ConnectionBeforeContent
#SpiceUpYourMeetings

[sydney]

At first I was skeptical of consulting YouTube for ice breakers, but I am so happy I stumbled across this video. I used this outline to formulate my introduction icebreaker question before starting our first club meeting. It worked so well! It got my peers opening up and sharing as they are usually shy. Thank you for this! This is great advice.

[DarenFelgate]

Very thought provoking Chad, will challenge me to put more effort into those opening moments. Thank you.

[ruthbourdier]

I've been leading in a remote environment for a while and always tend to search for meeting content to build better connections with my teams. This video had more logical, meaningful direction than 100 others "icebreaker" content played. I needed this!! Thank you!! I'd like to view more just like this. Building strong teams virtually is a difficult task with so many personalities meshing together!!

[eltonbrown]

What I understand Chad was talking about. This system is an excellent way to get to know your audience. Using this system can flush out what questions members of the audience may have about why they are there or members of the audience provide could interesting content, in-house or virtual. If I am in a workshop or lecture, the facilitator starts the meeting with, "let's begin the meeting by starting with..." I immediately shut down. This workshop is worth its weight in gold! Thank you, Chad!

[sheiladunne]

Perfect timing. Starting off the winter coaches meeting with the intent to have them connect and to help them see the value of connecting their teams as they start their new season. Thanks as always!❤

[shawnmoriarty]

Once again Chad, great connecting content! I have started calling Icebreakers, CBC activities.

[layasaul]

Another great video. Seriously, on target.
I just sent you an email with a couple of photos from my board meeting where we used the WeConnect cards. It was very well received. Thank you!!

[sockies]

Love this Chad. Ever since hearing Connection before content so many things have come back to thinking connect first.
I love the quick easy conversation idea to connect of downloading participants thoughts... It gives speakers a way to listen to participants, giving them the floor and honoring their expertise.
Now... Can I just remember all the goodness packed in your videos???
Thanks. 🤟🎉

[moritzlang]

I actually got this video recommended in my home feed (but now we know who you’re optimising your videos for :P) - watched it as I really like your content! Well done, thanks for the great tips 👌

[TheMagicSauce]

The CIA even?! And here I was thinking it was just the KGB that loves icebreakers.

[Greg-yuij]

What do you intend to achieve at work? As a young programmer my intention was to get tf out of the icebreaker exercise so I can get back to coding. Now I am older and need to communicate more than just pure productivity

[eriktyler]

I think a really great icebreaker—probably the actual BEST (so far...)—is to play human knot. And especially if there are hundreds of people. And lots of chairs. And lots of curmudgeons. SO FUN!

Then again, no.

What struck me most here today was the word "icebreaker" itself. It makes me cringe as well. And I think there is a reason (or reasons) for that. In this moment, however, it occurs to me that there is an implication to it right out of the gate: that people and groups and cultures are icy/cold as the default, and furthermore that the solution to such icy coldness in their Grinch-like hearts is "breaking" something. That is, the word itself implies TWO NEGATIVES: "You are COLD and I need to BREAK you." If someone implied that to me, I'd... well I'd cringe. And feel resistant—yea, even curmudgeonly.

Not exactly a strong starting point.

As you and I both know, given the opportunity, most people are NOT cold. They don't need to be "broken" to connect. They WANT to connect. They ENJOY it. So "connection" gets at the POSITIVE in who people are and what they desire, rather than some notion of what is wrong with them and needs (my) fixing.

[Soshi]

I'm stuck. I'm leading a Zoom ornament painting event for coworkers and need more creative/artsy icebreakers. Any help? Anyone?

[SilipaVakaloloma-idiu]

Help me with my attitude through icebreaker l feel a new person

[gypsyjay]

all i want to know is wha the icebreaker is and all this guy wants to do is promote is new term

[Sideshowjav]

The hand movements are way too distracting.

[Guti]

Jesus get to the ice breaker. You talk to much.