Often the first exercise we conduct in a training session is an icebreaker. A short activity that helps create a positive environment. So, I thought it might make a suitable first topic for this forum. Do you have any good icebreakers that have worked consistently well for you? Or, do you want to talk about any that went really wrong? I sometimes would use a joke but gave that up after someone got offended by one I told and I didn't see it coming. Now I just conduct introductions so that everyone gets to know something about each of the other participants. I go first and thus try to establish the format. For the most part everyone follows the example I set but every now and then someone goes on about their accomplishments, their personal lives, etc., and it can be tough to interrupt and move on to the next person.
Generally speaking, when I am conducting a training session, I have 3 hours to get through about 8 hours worth of material. So I need to get everyone focused into the subject we are there to discuss and do it quickly. So I often use a case-study that applies directly to the training and ask for input as to how to diagnose or resolve the problem/issue. I leave them hanging, not providing the actual resolution until after we have discussed that part of the training: "Now, back to my original case study..."
... or I trip on the way up to the front of the room and knock everything off the instructor's table and spill my coffee... (not really)
First, I never 'go around the room'.....that lets everyone 'check-out' until it's their turn, or check-out after it's their turn.
Instead, I begin with a summary about me, a 'Recovering Technician'. Then I give them the two rules: Rule 1.) I get to pick who goes next, then I tell them that each person who's picked next gets to choose the next person to go, except they cannot pick either person next to them....the idea is to mix it up across the room....and everybody is on their toes, not knowing who's next! Rule 2.) Keep it to the facts so everyone else has a little context about where you're coming from, so please, no long, boring 'stories'.