Build teams that don’t have ice to break

1. Worst: team meetings that have awkward ice breakers that everyone dreads
2. Bad: team meetings that don’t have ice breakers so the first few minutes of discussion don’t flow well
3. Better: team meetings that have good ice breakers that warm everyone up for a great discussion
4. Best: team meetings that don’t need ice breakers for everyone to jump into a great discussion

Number 4 is the holy grail, and it is possible. Small, focused meetings with teams that are well jelled and overflowing with psychological safety (and hopefully, silliness) don’t have ice to break. At some point, that ice stays broken forever and you can dive right in.