Remote team meetings can sometimes feel monotonous and disconnected, especially when your team is spread across various time zones. Icebreakers are a simple yet effective way to bridge that gap, bringing energy, engagement, and camaraderie to virtual gatherings. Among the many options, "Would You Rather" questions stand out as a favorite. These fun and thought-provoking prompts spark conversations, uncover shared interests, and inspire laughter, all while creating an inclusive and connected environment.
In this article, we'll explore how to make the most of these questions and provide curated categories to suit any remote meeting.
Benefits of Using Would You Rather Questions
"Would You Rather" questions are particularly effective for remote teams because they:
Ease Social Barriers: These prompts offer a structured and lighthearted way to kick off conversations, encouraging even the most introverted team members to participate.
Foster Creativity: Hypothetical scenarios push people to think outside the box and share unique perspectives.
Promote Team Understanding: By learning about colleagues’ preferences and personalities, teams can bond over shared interests or enjoy discovering surprising differences.
Boost Engagement: Breaking the monotony of virtual meetings, these questions keep everyone focused and involved.
Tips for Using Would You Rather Questions Effectively
To ensure these icebreakers have the desired impact:
Keep It Professional Yet Fun: Stick to lighthearted themes that are appropriate for the workplace. Avoid overly personal or controversial topics.
Set the Tone: Share an example question and response to help team members feel comfortable participating.
Leverage Virtual Tools: Use features like polls, breakout rooms, or reaction buttons on platforms like Zoom, Teams, or Slack to make participation seamless.
Encourage Inclusivity: Foster an atmosphere where everyone feels safe sharing their opinions without fear of judgment.
Timebox the Activity: Allocate a specific time for these questions—around 5-10 minutes—to keep the meeting productive.
Categories of the Best Would You Rather Questions
1. Work-Related Questions
Kickstart your meeting with work-focused questions that can lead to valuable discussions:
"Would you rather have a standing desk or a bean bag chair for work?"
"Would you rather work 4 long days a week or 5 shorter ones?"
"Would you rather lead a project or be part of the team?"
"Would you rather work in an office with no coffee or no Wi-Fi?"
"Would you rather always work remotely or always work in the office?"
2. Personal Preferences
Dive into your team’s quirks and hobbies with fun, revealing questions:
"Would you rather never use social media again or never watch TV again?"
"Would you rather work in absolute silence or with background music all day?"
"Would you rather spend your weekend reading a book or binge-watching a series?"
"Would you rather have a robot assistant or an unlimited snack supply while working?"
3. Travel and Adventure
These questions inspire dreams of exploration and spark wanderlust:
"Would you rather work from a tropical beach or a snowy mountain resort?"
"Would you rather explore space or the deepest parts of the ocean?"
"Would you rather have a remote job that lets you travel the world or a high-paying office job?"
"Would you rather live in a city with constant rain or one with intense heat?"
4. Funny and Lighthearted Questions
Bring laughter and lighten the mood with these humorous options:
"Would you rather always have to wear mismatched socks or never wear socks again?"
"Would you rather accidentally share your screen or forget to unmute during a meeting?"
"Would you rather have your webcam accidentally turned on during a nap or while making a funny face?"
"Would you rather use only emojis in emails or never use emojis again?"
5. Team Bonding Questions
These questions encourage collaboration and camaraderie:
"Would you rather plan the next team retreat or choose the menu for it?"
"Would you rather have a super productive day or a day full of creative ideas?"
