Silence. At a meeting. Who wants that? Nobody. Yes, there is also the inspiring silence when you know that you are about to come up with your next big idea. Unfortunately, the silent moments of awkwardness are more common. You might have asked a question and your team members are afraid of taking a guess or simply donât know the answer.
How would it be to have some fun and interesting facts to share so that these awkward moments are resolved and result in a light and happy atmosphere? Consider it a little push or distraction to get everyone back to the same (virtual or in person) meeting space. To save you time and effort, here comes a list of fun facts you can directly use in your next team meeting. And why not use it at your first team meeting in the new year and make it a habit to start (or end) your team meeting with a fun fact? You can take turns with your team members and create a moment of learning and bonding at the same time.
Each fun fact is accompanied by a prompt to help you casually introduce the topic and suggested context.
Fun fact 1: Michael Jordan was cut from his high school basketball team.
- Prompt: Did you know that basketball legend Michael Jordan didnât make it onto his high school basketball team? Imagine, he would have stopped then and there and not continue to improve his skills? The world would have missed arguably the greatest basketball players of all time. Letâs all channel our inner Michael âAirâ Jordan and keep moving forward. We will achieve great things together!
- Context: problem-solving, feeling stuck, after having experienced a setback
Fun fact 2: Cows have strong social bonds. When separated, they can become stressed.
- Prompt: I recently read that cows had best friends. Isnât that crazy? Apparently they create strong social bonds and become stressed when you separate them from their social circle.
- Context: to lighten up the mood, make your team smile
Fun fact 3: The âIKEA Effectâ: psychological phenomenon where people value products more highly if they have actively participated in building or creating them.
- Prompt: You know where I spent my Saturday? At IKEA! And although Iâm not a fan of finding all the packages and putting furniture together, it reminded me of the IKEA effect. Have you ever heard of it? It basically says that people value products more highly when they have actively participated in creating them. How do you think we can apply the IKEA effect to our current project?
- Context: spark curiosity, encourage curiosity, collaboration and innovation
Fun fact 4: Taste buds have a lifespan of about 10 to 14 days.
- Prompt: Nothing lasts forever. Take your taste buds. They actually constantly regenerate and have a lifespan of 10 to 14 days. But that doesnât have to be a bad thing, right? It simply means that we regularly get the opportunity to experience new and different flavors. (Optional: And talking about taste buds makes me hungryâŠshould we maybe grab lunch together?)
- Context: demonstrate constant change and development
Fun fact 5: Strawberries arenât berries, but bananas are.
- Prompt: Sometimes what we see isnât what we get. Take strawberries. I mean, the word berries is part of the word. Yet, strawberries arenât berries, but bananas actually are! Did you know that? (Optional: Speaking of comparing apples to orangesâŠ) Itâs surprising, isnât it?
- Context: change perspective, encourage to be open and willing to question the status quo
By using fun facts, you will apply the IKEA Effect and contribute to building a light and fun work environment where it is ok to not only talk about work and to open your mind to all the wonders around you and your team members.
And what better way to bond with your team members than to laugh together while having some strawberries?