8 Questions for Group Introductions

Choose this exercise

Purpose: Give each participant an immediate, low-stakes turn to speak aloud to establish shared baseline familiarity.

Use it when: Use at the opening of a workshop or meeting when participants do not know each other well and need a structured, low-risk way to speak.

Skip it when: Skip when the group already works together daily or when immediate technical problem-solving takes precedence.

Group arrangement: Triads or pairs; groups of 3 preferred, with pairs used when total participants are not divisible by 3

Timing: Source suggests 5 to 15 minutes. UWT standardizes the run to 15 minutes for groups up to 24 using small breakout clusters.

Materials and tools

• One printed copy of the prompt list per small group, or a central display board showing the questions
• One countdown timer visible to the facilitator

Before participants arrive

1. Print or project the prompt list so every participant can read all options clearly.
2. Arrange seating so clusters can converse without shouting over neighboring groups.

Say this to open

Welcome. To get our voices into the room, each person will answer one brief question. Look at the prompt list on your table or screen and pick one prompt you feel comfortable answering. In your small group, state your name, your role, and your chosen answer. Keep your response under 90 seconds so everyone gets equal time.

How to run it

1. Introduce and select prompt 2 minutes

   Read the opening script. Give participants two quiet minutes to review the prompt list and select one question to answer. Emphasize that choosing a neutral, work-related, or lighthearted prompt is welcome.

2. Share in small groups 8 minutes

   Form groups of 3. If numbers do not divide evenly, make one or two pairs so no participant sits alone. In turns, each person shares their name, role, and answer. Cap each turn at 90 seconds. Announce the halfway mark at 4 minutes to help groups pace themselves.

3. Hear highlights 3 minutes

   Reconvene the full room. Ask 2 or 3 volunteers from different clusters to share an interesting detail they learned about a partner, with that partner's permission.

4. Debrief and transition 2 minutes

   Facilitator poses one debrief question to the room, takes up to two brief responses, connects common threads to the day's goals, and transitions to the main agenda.

Debrief questions

• What was it like choosing your own prompt compared to having one assigned?
• What common ground or surprising detail surfaced in your conversation?
• How does hearing everyone speak early affect your readiness for the session?

Finished output: Every participant speaks once aloud in a small group, producing shared initial rapport without forced disclosure.

Remote

Post the prompt list in the chat and share it on screen. Form breakout rooms of 3 participants, creating pairs if the count is not divisible by 3 so no one is alone. Set breakout timers to 8 minutes. Return to the main room for 3 minutes of volunteer highlights and a 2-minute facilitated debrief using the chat or raised hands.

Hybrid

Use this UWT hybrid adaptation only when at least two participants attend in person and at least two attend remotely. Keep in-person participants in pairs or triads and assign remote participants to online breakouts of 2 or 3. If either location has only one participant, use a fully in-person or fully remote format instead. Display the prompt list in the room and paste it into the video meeting chat. During the 3-minute highlights stage, invite one volunteer from each location to share a partner detail with that partner's permission. Then use the 2-minute debrief.

Access and participation choices

• Participants select their own prompt, maintaining full control over personal boundaries.
• Anyone may pass on biographical stories and answer with a neutral work status update instead.
• Provide large-print copies for low-vision participants and copy text directly into chat for screen readers.

If the session gets stuck

One person takes up most of the small-group time talking about their answer.

Remind participants of the 90-second individual limit before starting and announce the halfway mark at 4 minutes.

A participant finds the autobiographical questions too intrusive.

Remind everyone that choosing a purely factual work prompt or passing on personal details is completely acceptable.

Terms used here

• Icebreaker: A brief opening conversational exercise designed to help participants speak aloud and get oriented.