Curiosity-Based Thinking for Team Building

Break the ice without breaking spirits

We’ve all experienced ice-breakers; and after the second or third one, you’d probably rather be frozen solid in ice. Yet, they persist.

What if there were a better way to break the ice, get to know each other, and form teams to tackle any task?

What if curiosity is the key, and the Curiosity-Based Thinking is the door to open up greater team empathy, understanding, and engagement?

Here’s how with some Curiosity-Based Thinking What? to Wow!s and Curiosity Q&As.

What? to Wow! Icebreakers

What? to Wow! #1

What: What is your favorite hobby or activity outside of work?

Who: Who is someone who has greatly influenced you in your personal or professional life?

When: When was a moment you felt particularly proud of a personal achievement?

Where: Where is your favorite place to relax and why?

How: How do you prefer to receive feedback or recognition for your work?

Why: Why did you choose to pursue your current career or field of work?

Huh?: What is something unique or surprising about you that most people don’t know?

Wow!: What is an amazing experience you’ve had that you’d like to share with the team?

What? to Wow! #2

What: What is your favorite book or movie and why?

Who: Who is your role model or someone you look up to?

When: When was the last time you tried something new, and what was it?

Where: Where is your dream vacation destination?

How: How do you like to unwind after a long day?

Why: Why did you decide to join this company or team?

Huh?: What is a challenge you’ve overcome that has shaped who you are today?

Wow!: Wow! What is an accomplishment you’re particularly proud of?

What? to Wow! #3

What: What is your favorite type of music or band?

Who: Who has been a mentor or significant influence in your career?

When: When do you feel most productive during the day?

Where: Where would you like to live if you could choose any place in the world?

How: How do you stay motivated and focused on your goals?

Why: Why are you passionate about your current role or industry?

Huh?: What is a skill or hobby you’ve always wanted to learn but haven’t yet?

Wow!: Wow! What is a memorable or impactful experience you’ve had in your life?

What? to Wow #4

What: What is your favorite way to spend a weekend?

Who: Who is someone you admire for their leadership skills?

When: When did you last feel truly inspired, and what inspired you?

Where: Where do you see yourself in five years?

How: How do you handle stress or pressure in the workplace?

Why: Why did you choose your current profession?

Huh?: What is a challenge you’ve faced that taught you a valuable lesson?

Wow!: Wow! What is a personal or professional achievement that you are most proud of?

Curiosity Q&As for Team Building Icebreaker

Curiosity Q&A #1

Question: What if our team could work from anywhere in the world for one week?

Action: In your group, choose a dream destination where you would all like to work for a week. Discuss and list the reasons why you chose this location and how working there could benefit your team’s creativity and productivity. Create a brief presentation or visual board with your chosen location and reasons to share with the larger group.

Keep in Mind: Consider factors like the environment, culture, available resources, and how these elements could positively impact your work dynamics. Think about both practical and imaginative aspects of working in a different place.

Deeper Learning: Reflect on how changing the work environment might influence team dynamics and individual performance. Discuss within your group how your current work environment supports or hinders productivity and creativity.

Challenge: Design a hypothetical team-building activity or project you could undertake in your chosen destination. This could involve a local cultural experience, a collaborative project inspired by the location, or a team challenge that leverages the unique aspects of the place. Present your plan to the group, detailing how it would foster teamwork, creativity, and problem-solving.

Curiosity Q&A #2

Question: What if our team had an unlimited budget for one project?

Action: In your group, brainstorm a project you would undertake if you had an unlimited budget. Discuss and list the project’s goals, the resources you would need, and the impact it would have on the company or community. Create a brief presentation or visual board outlining your project idea to share with the larger group.

Keep in Mind: Consider both ambitious and practical aspects of your project. Think about how unlimited resources could help you overcome current limitations and achieve extraordinary results.

Deeper Learning: Reflect on the current constraints you face and how additional resources could help. Discuss how you can leverage the resources you already have more effectively to achieve similar goals.

Challenge: Design a scaled-down version of your dream project that you could realistically start working on with the resources currently available. Present your plan to the group, detailing the steps you would take, the expected outcomes, and how it could serve as a foundation for the larger project in the future.

Curiosity Q&A #3

Question: What if our team had to create a new product or service in just one day?

Action: In your group, brainstorm and come up with an innovative product or service idea that our team could develop in a single day. Discuss the concept, its features, and potential benefits. Create a quick pitch presentation to share your idea with the larger group.

Keep in Mind: Think about the strengths and skills of your team members, and how you can leverage them to create something unique and impactful. Consider current market trends and potential customer needs.

Deeper Learning: Reflect on the process of rapid ideation and development. Discuss what made your brainstorming session successful and what challenges you faced. Think about how you can apply these insights to your regular work processes.

Challenge: Design a plan for how your team could actually develop and launch this product or service within a tight timeframe. Outline the key steps, resources needed, and potential obstacles. Present your plan to the group, detailing how it would foster teamwork, efficiency, and innovation.

These activities encourages quick thinking, collaboration, and innovative problem-solving, helping team members to explore their creativity and work together effectively under pressure.

Enjoy and Stay Curious!

Matt

Follow along to stay curious about curiosity as I share more Curiosity-Based Thinking approaches to learning, doing, and enjoying more of everything!