Many of us spend our time at work so focused on the task at hand that we become wrapped up in our own world. It can be easy to isolate yourself from your coworkers when there is a lot on your plate, but there are well-established benefits to being friends with your fellow team members.

With new social distancing restrictions, creating relationships with other employees can be a challenge. However, outdoor corporate retreats are a perfect opportunity for coworkers to mingle and get to know each other in a safe and engaging environment. Gathering outside the office is a great way to boost morale, and these icebreaker questions are a surefire way to encourage conversation and team building at your next company retreat.

Teambuilding Icebreakers

Given the chance, most folks love to talk about themselves. Using icebreaker questions can help get the ball rolling. Whether you are looking to strike up a general conversation or attempting to learn more about the people you work with every day, these questions can provide an opportunity to connect with your team members on a more personal level.

“What’s the best advice you’ve ever received?”

Company retreats help you get to know your fellow employees, and they are also a great opportunity to learn. Asking this question will invite unique insights from other team members, especially if they come from other employment backgrounds. Learning about advice that has inspired others is a chance to get a fresh perspective.

“What is the worst excuse you’ve ever heard?”

This is a lighthearted question that can provoke some hilarious responses. From anecdotal stories about your coworkers’ children to little white lies told to friends, there is a dose of humor in this question that is a great way to break the ice.

“Is there something you wish people knew about you?”

Asking your team members this question gives them an opportunity to share a side of themselves that others might not be aware of, especially if they are a newer employee. Giving people the chance to talk about a side of themselves that others don’t often see makes them feel more comfortable.

“If you could instantly learn one new skill, what would it be?”

Theoretical questions make great icebreakers because they force you to think outside the box. Some may answer this particular question with a business-focused response, but others may try to approach it with a little more levity. This is a particularly good choice for a topic of conversation while on an outdoor retreat, especially after participating in a group activity such as puzzles or physical challenges where employee skill level can vary across the team. Regardless of the setting in which you pitch the inquiry, you are sure to get some great answers to this question.

“If you could have one superpower, what would it be and why?”

Similar to the question above, asking your team about their ideal superpower is a chance to uncover more about who they are as individuals. Asking “why” opens up room in the conversation for varying justifications. Your social media manager may want the power to stop time so they can get more work done, but your HR representative might want the same power so that they can catch up on sleep!

“Where would you travel if you knew that money was no object?”

Travel questions are always a hit, especially during a time when we are discouraged from doing so. You might find that some team members dream of visiting exotic locations in far-off, beautiful countries, while others would love to conduct a multi-city road trip to visit all of the baseball stadiums in the United States. You might even get a few ideas for your next vacation.

“Is there something you would like to try next year for the first time?”

This is a much different question than simply asking what someone’s goals are for the next year. By asking someone what they would like to explore for the first time, you open the floor to a conversation about ambitions and aspirations instead of the well-trodden list of yearly resolutions. You might also discover a side of them that you never knew existed. Is the quiet accountant actually a thrill-seeking mountain climber, or is the office comedian learning how to meditate? You won’t know until you ask.

Plan Your Perfect Outdoor Company Retreat in Central NJ

Looking to book a safe and satisfying corporate retreat for your team? Frogbridge Events is here to help. With 86 acres of picturesque views and a variety of engaging amenities including kayaks, tennis courts, ziplines, bumper cars, and more, we guarantee your team has never experienced a company event quite like this.

Social distancing doesn’t have to prevent us from being social. Our corporate company picnic in Central New Jersey can help you plan a stress-free and safety-compliant outing for your whole office that they will never forget. If you’re interested in learning more about our unique outdoor retreat, call (609) 208-9475 or contact us online. We can’t wait to help you plan the corporate event of your dreams.