5 Icebreakers to Kickstart DEI Training
Starting DEI training can feel like stepping into new territory, especially when it involves personal and sensitive topics. But with the right icebreakers, DEI sessions become spaces where team members can build trust between one another, open up, and engage meaningfully right from the start by establishing the groundwork for a respectful, welcoming session.
In this article, we’ll look at how simple activities can set the stage for powerful DEI conversations. From choosing the right icebreaker to exploring fun activities to kickstart your training, we’re here to make DEI sessions more engaging and impactful for everyone.
What Do We Mean by a “DEI Icebreaker”?
When it comes to discussing topics around diversity, equity, and inclusion, we often feel intimidated, especially when we’re in front of a group of our colleagues. No one wants to say anything “wrong” or share personal experiences in an environment without respect.
Icebreakers are there to ease these concerns. By simply starting a session with lighthearted fun and banter, we create warm, welcoming environments. Icebreakers also remind everyone that they are not alone in the conversations surrounding DEI—that these discussions are a safe space where everyone’s perspective matters, regardless of where you are coming from.
When used thoughtfully, icebreakers:
1. Promote Respect
When people come together to take the time to listen, they actively practice respect for one another.
2. Build Trust
Icebreakers invite people to share something about themselves. While we may see and talk with them almost every day, sometimes we only know the version of coworkers we see in our professional life, and getting to know them on a more intimate level can provide us with a more well-rounded picture of who they are and where they’re coming from.
3. Encourage Participation and Inclusion
In every icebreaker game and activity, the goal is to create an atmosphere where people feel safe to speak up. This paves the way for honest, open conversations about DEI.
Of course, sometimes the last thing anyone wants to do is talk. It’s easier to sit and zone out during training sessions—trust us, we’ve all been there! But, when it comes to DEI training, participation and interest aren’t just “nice-to-haves”—they’re essential tools to make sure sessions are engaging and move team members beyond surface-level interactions. By beginning with an icebreaker, we are making sure that the session itself is as DEI-oriented as its results.
This way, everyone can fearlessly engage in deeper conversations.
How to Choose the Right Icebreaker
Selecting the best icebreaker can make or break your session. It sounds unlikely, maybe even hyperbolic, but it’s true!
For example, if you choose a competitive game where there are clear winners and losers, you risk sabotaging your workshop before it’s begun. Take your audience, your teammates, and the abilities and interests of everyone involved into account when choosing how to begin team-building activities.
Other considerations include:
The level of familiarity between participants with one another. If participants know each other well, it can be a great opportunity to choose a deeper, more reflective icebreaker.
Leverage employee resource groups (ERGs) to create meaningful icebreakers! ERGs often represent marginalized identities or groups within organizations. By collaborating with leadership or members you can choose activities that personally resonate with specific experiences, identities, and challenges faced by their members.
Know your format! Depending on if your training takes place online or in-person will vastly change what kind of icebreakers are available to you.
Align your activity with your goals. Pick an icebreaker that aligns with your goals for the session at large, as well as what you want to achieve.
On top of these tips, we advise that you keep things low-stakes and casual, and leave the pressure at the door.
5 Icebreaker Ideas to Start Your DEI Training Right
So we’ve gone over the reasons DEI icebreakers are an excellent way to start your training, but what kinds of icebreaker activities are out there? And which ones work best to create a space of safe and respectful conversations?
1. What’s In A Name?
Best Format: In person or online
Approximate length: 15-20 minutes, depending on how many participants
For this activity, team members share their first name and its personal history or importance to them. Facilitators should prompt participants to answer a broad set of questions, especially if they aren’t sure how to start. Examples include:
Who are you named after?
Where does your name originate?
Does your name hold any significance for your family or you?
Do you like your name? If you could choose a new one, what would it be and why?
Be sure to monitor how people are reacting and answering; if team members are not comfortable with sharing, don’t feel the need to push or pressure them into more information! The key is to create a space people want to share.
2. The “I Am…” Exercise
Best Format: In person or online
Approximate length: 15-20 minutes, depending on how many participants
During this icebreaker, each person begins with “I am…” with a focus on the things that make them unique. Then, give them up to 2 minutes to think of 5-10 “I am” statements. These could be:
I am multinational.
I am a swimmer.
I am left-handed.
I am a cat person.
I am married.
Prior to beginning this game, it is best to give people some examples so they know that they can explore a variety of personal topics. Emphasize that sharing is not mandatory, and that they can be light-hearted. Using this activity, we want people to get comfortable with one another.
3. 30-Second Virtual Show and Tell
Best Format: Online
Approximate length: 5-10 minutes, depending on how many participants play
In this game, everyone picks an item within an arm's length. This can be anything from a notebook to a stress relief ball. Once items are chosen, the facilitator calls upon each team member to talk about their item in 30 seconds or less. For example, if you picked your special pen, you might say:
This is my favorite pen. I use it every day because it feels good in my hand and the ink is a really bold blue. It was a gift from my Dad for my birthday.
See? Short, sweet, and not intrusive. While this is not specifically related to DEI, a big part of DEI training is promoting active listening, empathy, and mutual understanding. By listening, we are showing appreciation for diverse experiences, perspectives, and the values our teammates hold.
By getting coworkers to know each other in a not-so-serious way, participants will feel more comfortable exploring DEI topics with one another.
4. Seven-Word Biographies
Best Format: In person or online
Approximate length: 20-30 minutes
Give every participant around 3-5 minutes to think of seven words that represent their life stories. This is a great, challenging way to get people to think about where they came from and where they are, including their background, career, schooling, and overall history. For example, a story could be:
“Immigrated, graduated early, married, visited home, baby”
As you can see, the stories will end up being very odd, and likely disjointed, but for this activity that’s just what you want! Listeners are bound to ask questions and want people to elaborate—and don’t forget to jump in and prompt people if they need help or seem unsure of where to start.
5. Two Truths and a Lie: DEI Edition
Best Format: In person or online
Approximate length: 5-10 minutes
An icebreaking classic, ‘Two Truths and a Lie’ is a staple from elementary school and into our adult working lives.
Traditionally, participants come up with two truths and a lie about themselves to open the door for sharing and discussion. In this edition, the facilitator will think of two truths and a lie related to DEI. This can include policies, procedures, notes, areas of interest, and more—so as long as they’re relevant to the topic at hand, it’s a great way to learn and create meaningful discussions. In fact, studies show that active participation in learning is much more effective than traditional teaching methods.
You can even give the game a little bit of a twist by utilizing Zoom’s breakout room feature. Think of 3-4 different sets of truths and lies and have smaller groups discuss the answers amongst themselves. When you come together, every group shares what they believe to be the answer, with facilitators taking the reins to elaborate or correct answers.
The Importance of the Icebreaker
Icebreakers are more than just warm-up activities. To set the stage for a truly inclusive and effective DEI session. The right icebreaker can:
👉 Break down walls between employees
👉 Build trust and empathy
👉 Create a safe, respectful environment
👉 Encourage individuals to share and relate to one another
👉 Reduce tension and anxiety related to the session
👉 Set a positive tone for learning and growth
👉 Introduce DEI concepts gently
Whether you are a DEI facilitator or a team lead, incorporating thoughtful icebreakers into your sessions can be a small but powerful move towards crafting a culture of inclusion and trust. When participants begin by building connections, the discussions that follow tend to be richer, more respectful and, most importantly, impactful to everyone involved.
