All team quizzes & games

Icebreakers

Speed networking

Rotating two-minute conversations that help people meet many colleagues quickly, like speed dating for the office.

Players
12-60
Duration
30-40 minutes
Energy level
Medium
Works online
Yes

How to play - step by step

  1. 1

    Arrange two rows of chairs facing each other so every person has a partner.

  2. 2

    Share a prompt such as “What is the best advice you ever received?”.

  3. 3

    Start a two-minute timer; each partner speaks for one minute.

  4. 4

    When the bell rings, one row shifts one seat to the right.

  5. 5

    Repeat with a new prompt and a new partner.

  6. 6

    After eight rounds, ask for one thing each person learned about a colleague.

Benefits

  • Helps new and quiet people open up quickly.
  • Builds trust and breaks down hierarchy between teams.
  • Creates shared stories and inside jokes that last.
  • Needs little or no preparation or budget.

What you need

  • Two lines of chairs facing each other, or pairs in breakout rooms.
  • A timer with a bell, and a list of conversation prompts.
  • Name tags (optional).

Rules

  • Each person talks for about one minute; listen without interrupting.
  • Keep conversations friendly and professional.
  • People may skip a prompt and share something else.

Scoring and winning

  • No score - success is the number of new connections made.

Conversation prompts

  • What is a project you are proud of?
  • What is a skill you would love to learn?
  • What did you want to be when you were 10?
  • What is your favourite way to relax?
  • What is one thing about your work people do not know?
  • Which place in the world would you like to visit next?

Variations

  • Cross-department rounds: pairs must be from different teams.
  • Mentor round: pair junior and senior colleagues.
  • Add a “help wanted” round: each person shares something they need help with.

Playing it online

  • Use automatic breakout rooms of two with a timer.
  • Share the prompt in the chat for each round.

Tips for the host

  • Keep the energy up with background music and a clear timer.
  • Ask one person to share a highlight at the end.

Mistakes to avoid

  • Rounds that are too long, which makes people restless.
  • Not rotating properly - use a clear signal.
  • Silent rounds with no prompts.

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