If I Were A...
An icebreaker that instantly sparks imagination. Through simple 'If I were...' prompts, team members can break away from boring introductions and showcase their true personalities using metaphors and humor. No props needed—perfect for everything from serious meetings to casual hangouts, anytime, anywhere.
How to Play This Icebreaker Game
- 1The facilitator asks a series of 'If you were a...' questions. Feel free to use the 'Creative Prompts' bank below.
- 2Examples: 'If you were a type of food, what would you be?', 'If you were a car?', 'If you were a musical instrument?'.
- 3Go around the circle and have each person give their answer and a brief reason why.
- 4Don't overthink it—encourage intuitive answers. It's a fun, abstract way to learn how people see themselves.
Variations
Work Style Edition: 'If you were a project management tool', 'If you were a meeting type', 'If you were a workspace'.
Rapid Fire: Go through 3–4 prompts quickly with one-word answers, then pick one to expand on.
Team Guess: One person gives their answer; others guess who it is before they reveal.
Facilitator Guide
Opening Script:
Answer a few ‘If you were a…’ prompts with a one‑liner why. Keep it light; we’re exploring metaphors, not biographies.
Closing Script:
What values surfaced from your metaphors? Capture one word you want teammates to remember about working with you.
Why This Works
Why this icebreaker game works: Metaphor lets people share identity safely and quickly. It invites humor while revealing preferences and strengths.
Best For
Ideal icebreaker situations for this game include:
- Onboarding
- New team kickoffs
- Hybrid standups
Important Notes
- Use inclusive, neutral prompts
- Allow passes; no pressure to explain deeply
- Model brief answers to keep tempo
Ideas & Prompts
Classic
If I were a color
If I were a season
If I were an animal
If I were a dish
If I were a country
Workplace
If I were an office supply
If I were a punctuation mark
If I were a mobile app
If I were a browser tab
If I were a font
Fun & Life
If I were a kitchen appliance
If I were weather
If I were a movie villain
If I were a mode of transportation
If I were a pair of shoes
Game FAQ
How do we keep answers from being generic?
Ask for specifics: not just 'pizza' but 'pepperoni pizza from that corner shop'. Details create connection.
How do we keep answers from being generic?
Ask for specifics: not just 'pizza' but 'pepperoni pizza from that corner shop'. Details create connection.
What makes a good 'If I were...' prompt?
Neutral categories everyone can relate to: weather, season, vehicle, app, snack, time of day.
What makes a good 'If I were...' prompt?
Neutral categories everyone can relate to: weather, season, vehicle, app, snack, time of day.
