Respectful Icebreaker Ideas for Cross-Cultural Meetings
Focus on connection and shared experience:
Using Jam Bingo to Find Common Ground
Jam Bingo works well here because it's flexible and participant-led. Instead of forcing everyone to speak in front of the group immediately, it allows for one-on-one conversations to happen organically. You can customize prompts to be culturally attuned and relevant.
Example Prompts for a Business Context:
- Find someone who has worked on a project that benefited their local community.
- Find someone who can share a word from a language other than English.
- Find someone who has a similar goal for sustainable business practices.
- Find someone and ask about a mentor who inspired them in their career.
These prompts encourage sharing and discovery without being intrusive, laying the foundation for a strong professional relationship.
The goal is to create a space where everyone feels heard and respected. An activity like this moves the interaction from a transactional meeting to a relational one.
Key Principles for Success
Do's and Don'ts
- DO: Prioritize listening over talking.
- DO: Be authentic and patient. Relationship-building cannot be rushed.
- DON'T: Use overly competitive or high-pressure games.
- DON'T: Make assumptions or use stereotypes. Let individuals share what they are comfortable with.
For more prompt ideas tailored to community and partnership building, explore our free library.