18 Ice-Breaker Questions for Virtual Meetings: From Polite to Risqué

Get to know your colleagues and spice things up with these 18 thought-provoking icebreaker questions for virtual meetings ranging from polite to risqué.

In a world where virtual meetings have become the norm, it can be difficult to know how to build trust in a team. As human beings, we crave social interaction and the feeling of being part of a community. The easiest way to foster that sense of belonging is by asking ice-breaker questions in these virtual meetings. These seemingly simple prompts can open up discussions, spark creativity, and create a more inclusive virtual environment.

When deciding whether to ask ice-breaker questions in a meeting, it’s important to “read the room” and take the “temperature” of the group. If the tone is already light and casual in your virtual meeting, then lighthearted ice-breaker questions could help continue that trend. If the tone is more serious, then it might be better to ask questions that are still engaging but don’t seem silly or unprofessional. 

In this article, we’ll explore 18 ice-breaker questions for virtual meetings that range from polite to risqué. They will help you get to know your coworkers, do interviews or build a team in virtual meetings, as well as some tips on how to decide which questions are best suited to your virtual meeting situation. 

Light-Hearted Ice-Breaker Questions for Virtual Meetings

As human beings, we often use humor to create social bonds and establish rapport with others. Light-hearted ice-breaker questions can help create a relaxed, informal atmosphere, which can be particularly helpful in virtual meeting situations where people may be feeling nervous or tense.

For example, in a startup where team members are still getting to know each other, using light-hearted ice-breaker questions can help break down barriers in virtual meetings and encourage people to open up. Similarly, in a virtual team-building setting where people from different departments or backgrounds are meeting for the first time, using playful or humorous ice-breaker questions can help create a more inclusive environment and build a sense of shared experience.

1. If you could trade places with any fictional character for a day, who would it be and why? This question is great for breaking the ice in virtual meetings and sparking discussion about interests and preferences. The replies could range from serious to humorous, but either way, it gives everyone a chance to share a bit about themselves.

2. What was the first concert you ever attended, and how was it? Music is a universal language, and this ice-breaker question opens a discussion about different genres of music, favorite bands, and memorable live performances in your virtual meeting.

3. What’s your favorite quote or saying, and why does it resonate with you? This ice-breaker question is an opportunity for people to share something that has stuck with them during your virtual meeting and could lead to a discussion about values, personal mantras, and words of wisdom.

4. If you could travel back in time to any era, which one would you choose, and why? This ice-breaker question is a great way to get to know people’s interests and preferences in real life. The replies could range from ancient civilizations to recent decades, and it could lead to a discussion about history, culture, and what makes different eras fascinating.

5. If you could have any superpower, what would it be, and why? This question is a fun one and could lead to some interesting responses. Some people in your virtual meeting might pick the power of flight or invisibility, while others might opt for something more practical, like the ability to speak any language.

Risqué Questions to Loosen Up a Group

Risqué ice-breaker questions can be a great way to loosen up a group and promote a more playful, adventurous atmosphere. These questions may not be appropriate for all groups or situations, and it’s important to read the room and use your judgment to determine whether they’re appropriate.

Some people may not feel comfortable answering these types of ice-breaker questions in a virtual meeting, and it’s important to create a safe and non-threatening environment for everyone involved. Some more risqué questions might include:

1. What’s the most embarrassing thing that’s ever happened to you at work? The answer could reveal a lot about someone’s ability to laugh at themselves and their sense of humor. This ice-breaker question could also provide insight into how they handle uncomfortable situations and how they might approach mistakes and setbacks in the workplace.

2. What’s the craziest thing you’ve ever done on a dare? This ice-breaker question could tell you a lot about someone’s personality and the kinds of experiences they’re willing to try. You might find that their story is exciting, humorous, or even a little bit frightening, which could help spark a lively conversation and bring a sense of fun to the virtual meeting.

3. What’s the most rebellious thing you’ve ever done in your life? Someone’s answer could reveal a lot about their experiences and approach to life during a virtual meeting. Maybe they have a wild streak or a sense of adventure that could inspire the rest of the group to continue to break the ice, perhaps sharing stories of things they’ve done that challenge conventional norms or societal expectations.

In very informal settings, for example for virtual meetings between friends, there are many party games for adults you can play over the internet. However, it’s important to remember that humor is subjective and what one person finds amusing, another may find offensive. Risqué ice-breaker questions that are appropriate and inclusive for everyone can be a great way to help people feel more at ease and build connections, but use them thoughtfully and in the right context.

Direct Ice-Breaker Questions for Virtual Meetings

Direct ice-breaker questions can be useful when time is limited, and you need to quickly establish common ground or get to the heart of the matter. These types of questions can also be helpful in a virtual meeting setting, where it can be challenging to read body language or non-verbal cues.

In a large group setting, direct ice-breaker questions can be effective at encouraging participation and ensuring that everyone has a chance to share their thoughts. By asking a direct question that’s relevant to the topic at hand, you can quickly cut the ice and engage people, creating a more dynamic, interactive atmosphere.

Additionally, direct ice-breaker questions can be useful in a virtual team-building setting, where the goal is to address difficult issues and promote effective communication in the workplace. By asking direct questions in a non-judgmental and respectful manner, you can help people feel heard and understood, and facilitate a more constructive conversation without breaking a sweat.

1. What are three words your colleagues would use to describe you, and why do you think they would use those words? A discussion about different working styles, strengths and weaknesses could be led by this ice-breaker question, providing a chance for people to reflect on how they’re perceived by others and what qualities they bring to the table.

2. What’s one goal you have for yourself professionally, and how do you plan on achieving it? This question is a chance for people to share their aspirations and what they’re working towards. It could lead to a discussion about different career paths, professional development opportunities, and approaches people take to achieve their goals.

3. What’s one thing you’re passionate about outside of work, and how does it influence your work life? Virtual meeting attendees can share their hobbies and how they bring those passions to their professional lives by answering this ice-breaker question. It could lead to a discussion about work-life balance, creativity, and the different ways people find inspiration.

4. If you could have dinner with any historical figure, who would it be, and why? This ice-breaker question is intended to encourage people to share their interest in history and could lead to a discussion about different historical events, figures, and the impact they have had on the world.

5. What’s the best advice you’ve ever received, and how have you applied it to your life? The question invites virtual meeting participants to share the wisdom they have received from others and how it has helped them in their personal and professional lives. It could also break the ice for a discussion about the value of mentorship and the different ways people seek guidance.

Serious and Business-Focused Question Ideas

While cheerful ice-breaker questions can be useful in many virtual meeting situations, there are also times when a more serious tone may be more appropriate. For instance, in a large company setting where people may be more reserved or cautious about sharing personal information, serious ice-breaker questions can help create a more thoughtful, reflective atmosphere.

These types of questions can also be helpful in a virtual team-building or leadership training setting, where the goal is to encourage deeper conversations and promote self-awareness. Serious ice-breaker questions can also be effective in virtual interviews, particularly for roles that require emotional intelligence or strong interpersonal skills.

1. What led you to your current position, and what do you enjoy most about it? With this ice-breaker question, people can share their professional journey and what they find rewarding about their current role, which could lead to a discussion about goals, aspirations, and successes in your virtual meeting.

2. What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced in your career so far, and how did you overcome it? Using this ice-breaker question in your virtual meeting, people can share their experiences and what they’ve learned from them. This could lead to a discussion about resilience, problem-solving, and the different ways people approach challenges.

3. What’s a book that’s had a big impact on your career, and why? This ice-breaker question is a chance for people in your virtual meeting to share their reading lists and what they’ve learned from the books on it. It could lead to a discussion about different ways to lead, manage, or develop professionally.

4. What’s one skill you’ve learned in your career that you’re particularly proud of, and how did you develop it? People can share their expertise and talk about what they’ve worked hard to achieve with this ice-breaker question, which could lead to a discussion about learning styles, professional development opportunities and what it takes to succeed in a given field.

5. What’s one thing you wish you knew when you first started your career, and why? This ice-breaker question is a chance for people to reflect on their career journey and what they’ve learned along the way. It could lead to a discussion in your virtual meeting about the different lessons people have learned and the advice they would give to their younger selves.

Read more:

• 25 Outdoor Team Building Activities for Group Bonding
• 18 Ways to Make Someone Feel Better Over Text
• 9 Online Volunteer Opportunities From Home

** Links to retailers marked with ** or underlined orange are partially partner links: If you buy here, you actively support Utopia.org, because we will receive a small part of the sales proceeds. More info.

Tags: Business Guide Relationships technology