What it accomplishes: Humorous interaction and the knowledge to avoid doing or giving someone something they don’t even like.
8. How has __________ current event impacted you?
We can all look at stories in the news and feel sadness for those involved. Let’s take it further and actively make a difference by opening conversations to explore how they impact the people we know.
What it accomplishes: Shows coworkers you care and can open up an interesting discussion.
9. What has someone done in the office that encouraged or helped you lately?
It’s no secret that gratitude brings joy! Make time in your meetings to build each other up and publicly thank the person who encouraged you.
Sharing gratitude publicly not only gives you warm fuzzies but also impacts the whole group. According to this study, people who witness gratitude:
- Have a more favorable impression of both the person giving thanks and the one receiving thanks.
- Feel more willing to help the person who expressed gratitude.
- Experience feelings of trust towards the grateful person.
- Want to engage more with the people who gave and received thanks.
Talk about team building!
What it accomplishes: Focuses on uniting the team with trust while building a culture of gratitude.
10. How do you like to be praised and appreciated?
Everyone is different. While some people love public appreciation, for others, it feels embarrassing or even frightening.
You won’t know unless you ask, and honestly, they might not know the answer themselves! Patiently explore this with them and press into these kinds of awkward conversations. It will make you a better team and show others you care enough to find out the answer.
Pro Tip: Leaders, ask this in your one-on-one meeting instead of your all-team meeting. Make sure to write down their response. Over time, build a spreadsheet that details the appreciation language of each person on the team.
What it accomplishes: Builds trust and gives you tools to motivate others effectively.
11. How did you get to your current role in dentistry?
You and the team probably have no idea your coworker was part of a medical/dental work program in high school or used to lifeguard when they were young or worked on a horse ranch in Montana.
The unique skills and history that brought each person to this moment in time can be funny, surprising, or even poignant. Give your team the chance to share a part of their story, and pay attention to the unique talents you may be underutilizing.
What it accomplishes: Connects you as a team by learning some of their backstories and provides insight into how to use their skills better.
12. What do you feel is our team’s biggest strength? How can we improve as a team?
Interestingly, Gallup Leadership teaches leaders to improve by focusing on their strengths.
It may feel counterintuitive, but it works. Don’t turn a blind eye to problem areas, but start by focusing on your strengths. Ask your team to share what they perceive as the team’s biggest strength; you might be surprised by their answer.
Write each of the responses on a whiteboard and celebrate the fantastic strengths you already have as a team.
Then, follow up by asking how to improve as a team. Improve areas of weakness by leveraging your strengths.
What it accomplishes: It gives your team a morale boost by celebrating your strengths.
13. What are you reading right now? (Or what book have you wanted to read?)
This adult show-and-tell has the potential to open up deep conversations and reveal surprising things.
You may have never guessed your logical and data-driven coworker is a sucker for romance novels or that so many people are reading personal growth and business books
Plus, it’s a great way to discover your next favorite read!
Use this question as an opportunity to learn from your teammates and enjoy the fun of the ensuing conversation.
Variations or follow-up questions can include:
- What do you love about it?
- Has it changed your perspective on anything?
- Are you learning anything new from reading it?
- Why should we read it?
- What’s on your reading list?
- What books have deeply impacted you?
- What has been your favorite book this year?
- What popular book do you think people shouldn’t bother reading?
- What kind of book do you like to read on vacation?
- What’s your favorite genre of books?
What it accomplishes: Offers a new perspective on what people are thinking about and is a fun way to build connection points.
14. What’s the difference between you and most other people?
This question allows people to share with vulnerability or get off with a laughable difference like having double joints. If people communicate openly and vulnerably, it can show the team they struggle with some of the same fears, doubts, and insecurities as the people they work with every day.
If you’d like to skew the answers to be more serious, be the first one to answer and share with vulnerability. As soon as one person is vulnerable, it usually gives others the courage to be more open.
What it accomplishes: Shows the team that others struggle with the same things as they do or shows the humanity of your coworkers.
15. What helps you when you’re stressed?
According to Mental Health America, four in five employees report that stress impacts their relationships (both at work and at home).
Talking about it can help. You and your coworkers can learn whether to give someone extra space, ask them to go for a walk or be available to talk it out. As a team, you can support the mental health of each person. That starts by learning what helps each person when stressed and then respecting that day-to-day.
What it accomplishes: Supports positive mental health and has the potential to reduce workplace stress.
16. What’s your A-work?
This is another self-awareness, team-awareness question. A person’s A-work is what they thrive at—someone could be a wizard at organization, or another person might be amazing at marketing ideas.
Understanding how each person works and what they’re good at and then being willing to flex to each other can build trust and increase productivity. This one is all-hands-on-deck because it’ll give you a chance to find out what your teammates enjoy doing and are great. Like any interpersonal interaction, working together requires compromise and kindness.
What it accomplishes: Helps reduce miscommunication and increase productivity.
17. Describe the team member sitting next to you with one positive word.
When people say something positive, it naturally boosts confidence and motivation.
If you struggle when it comes to a healthy culture, this team building question helps them to think about something positive to say. That, in turn, can shift how they view the other person and help them maintain professionalism even in the face of clashing personalities.
What it accomplishes: Builds team rapport and encourages positive interactions.
18. Is there a charitable cause you support?
This is a great question to learn what your team cares about outside of work. Often, people support causes they have a personal connection with. If you feel it’s appropriate, follow up by asking why that cause is important to them.
If there is a common theme in the answers, ask your team if they’d like to have a volunteer day, do a team 5K, or some other activity to benefit the cause.
What it accomplishes: Learning what people care about helps build connections.
19. What was the best work advice you’ve ever received?
According to a study by Penn Today, sharing advice gives the adviser confidence in their abilities. Ultimately, if we believe we have something valuable to share with others, that improves our performance in that area.
Giving (or receiving) advice in a work setting can feel uncomfortable. The last thing you want is unsolicited advice from a team member who seems to be more concerned about you than their own performance. This question removes that discomfort and any attempt at a power play. Everyone passes on the best advice that impacts how they show up at work. There is a level of vulnerability here, so affirm each piece of advice as it’s shared.
What it accomplishes: It makes your teammates feel like they have something valuable to contribute.
20. What was your best vacation?
This question is less about accomplishing a specific goal and more about team bonding through a story. Not only are vacation stories funny and inspiring, but just hearing about them is sure to erase stress as everyone listens and participates.
What it accomplishes: Lightens the mood and builds connection.
Don't limit yourself to just these 20 questions... anything goes as long as it's not embarrassing, hurtful or has an ulterior motive. Be creative!