Icebreakers · Get-to-Know-You

What Will the Future Hold?

An imaginative way to surface self-perception in a positive light.

IcebreakerRapportPersonal Sharing

Duration: 20 min
Participants: 1–5, 5–10, 10–20, 20–50, 50+
Energy: Low
Difficulty: Beginner
Materials: None
Prep time: 5 minutes

2 min read · Delivery: Offline

Overview

Purpose. An imaginative way to surface self-perception in a positive light.

When to use. In the first 15 minutes of a session, once names are known and the group is settling in.

Best for. Any group size, in person.

Facilitator preparation

No materials to gather; just read through the steps once before you run it.

Room setup. Open enough floor space for pairs to spread out and hear only their own partner.

Virtual setup. Run this over video call using breakout rooms for pairs, and chat for the individual lists.

Hybrid setup. Give remote participants a shared document to write their list in.

Materials.

How to Conduct

Set up the framing for the group, using the idea in the Trainer's Reference below.
Ask each participant to list six adjective-noun traits that describe them as a person worth “thawing out,” for example “Curious Problem-Solver” or “Reliable Teammate.”
Give everyone a few minutes of quiet time to write their list.
Split into pairs or small groups to discuss each other's lists.

WHAT TO EXPECT FROM THE GROUP

A few participants may hang back at first; let them opt in when they're ready rather than forcing a turn.

Trainer's Reference: explaining the framing

The original framing imagines each person has been “frozen” and will be “thawed out” by a future colony that can only choose a few people worth reviving; it's just a playful excuse to ask “what makes you worth choosing?” without it feeling like bragging. If the sci-fi angle doesn't land with your group, you can drop it and simply ask: ‘If a new team could only pick a few people to join them, what six words or short phrases would make the case for picking you?’

After the activity

DEBRIEF QUESTIONS

What part of “What Will the Future Hold?” felt easy, and what part felt harder than expected?
Was it harder to come up with your own list, or to hear your partner's?

REFLECTION QUESTIONS