open · Icebreaker, Team Building · 15–20 min · 3-8 people · low energy
Care About
Care About is a virtual icebreaker that fosters connection by inviting participants to share a personal story connected to an object within reach. It's effective for building trust and discovering commonalities in remote teams.
When to use Care About
Use this method at the beginning of a virtual meeting or workshop to create a more personal and engaging atmosphere, especially when working with remote teams or new groups.
What it solves
Lack of personal connection in virtual meetings, difficulty building rapport in remote teams.
How to run Care About, step by step
- Welcome participants and ask them to turn on their webcams. (2 minutes)
- Pose the question: "Find an object within reach that you care about." (1 minute)
- Allow 20 seconds for each person to find an object.
- Invite a volunteer to show their object and share its story. (1 minute)
- Continue inviting participants to share until everyone has had a turn or time is up. (10-15 minutes)
- Optionally, facilitate a brief reflection on the experience. (2 minutes)
Materials needed
- Webcams
- Stable internet connection
Facilitator tips
- Encourage participants to be mindful of the time limit when sharing their stories.
- Create a safe and supportive environment for sharing personal stories.
Common pitfalls
- Participants struggling to find an object - reassure them that anything is fine.
- Stories running over time - gently remind participants of the time limit.
Variations
- Focus the question on a specific theme, such as 'an object that represents a challenge you overcame' or 'an object that brings you joy'.
Running it online or hybrid
Ensure all participants have access to their immediate surroundings to select an object. Spotlight sharing on video conferencing platforms.
What it produces
Shared stories and increased understanding of team members' values and interests.
Origin
Adapted from playmeo — source
Build a session around Care About
METODIC places Care About inside a complete, timed session plan — agenda, worksheets, facilitator guide and slides — matched to your group and goal.