BREAKING THE ICE

 

Breaking the ice-Learn what motivates people.

Typical motivators:

• Personal power
• Feeling important
• Recognition
• Social approval
• New experiences
• Love
• Emotional security

The list implies that people want to make a personal connection, to feel comfortable and to be noticed.

So, what do you have in common with these people?  Unusual clothes, hats, jewelry and body language.  Surroundings such as books, statuary, furniture, and social things like food, size of crowd, energy level, etc. You can break the ice starting with those suggestions.

More topics for conversation:

• Nostalgia-good memories of the past
• Favorites-books, restaurants, movies
• How to-e.g. deal with stress, make time to exercise, etc.
• Common ground-both drinking coffee, in same building, in same line

Ice-Breaking Openers:

This is my first_______.  How do you do______.

How did you get involved in this line of work?

Do you have any tips on letting go of tension?

Keep a file of interesting topics, openers, and funny stories.

 

If you find the conversation lagging, just remember the odes:

ODES:

• O-open your body language for your approach
• D-deliver a wide-open and fast-paced grand opening
• E-emphatically listen
• S-share your ideas generously

 

Always do Active listening:

• Sit or stand with an open, accepting posture
• Look at the speaker
• Stand straight
• Ask for more information
• Center questions on the speaker…Do you think, what would you advise
• Respond to the speaker, repeat something you’ve heard

 

Know When it’s time to exit:

• Sum up and show appreciation
• Explain next step, if there is one
• Shake hands and leave

It’s not rocket science. it’s just conversation baby steps.  Who knows, you might be a budding, silver-tongued conversationalist. But you will never know unless it’s you who starts the conversation.

 In the meantime, check out these articles that might just what you needed to break the ice!

Keep visiting this site for more steps.

By Deborah Shouse Photo Credit:  glowbl.com©

 

To read more about breaking the ice, here are some articles to read:

Conversation Starters for Any Situation – TUTORING YOU

Conversation Starters: 25 Questions to Draw People Out – TUTORING YOU