Icebreakers For The Grown and Shy
The Office Party
You see your co-workers at least 40 hours a week. If that’s not enough, you’re forced to attend occasional office parties. Somehow you have to muster up enough conversation to get you through the party. So what do you say to people you actually have no interest in speaking to after work?
Office parties probably offer the most icebreakers for the socially shy because the event is linked by a very close common denominator: you work at the same place. So allow your icebreakers to play off of that factor. Just be careful that in the midst of your social anxiety, you don’t bad mouth your company or other co-workers.
- How’s it going in (insert department)?
Starting a conversation with someone in another department is somewhat easy. Because you’re in different departments, simply asking about their area sparks a conversation and shows interest in the other person; and even if you could care less what’s going on with Jill in Sales, it will definitely get you on Jill’s good side. And it never hurts to know someone with an inside scoop on a department you might want to work in sometime in the future.
- Introduce Yourself and Your Department
This may be being overly ambitious for the painfully shy, but introducing yourself at an office party can solely consist of “Hey, I’m (insert your name here). I work in (your department). Which department do you work in?”
- ‘Are You Enjoying The Party?’
This icebreaker is easy and self-explanatory; and trust me, it will generate a conversation.
