Icebreakers. It isn’t icy, the extroverts are just permanently melted.

Let’s take the time to discuss this subject. For those unaware of the term, “icebreakers” are team-building activities that are designed to “break the ice” among strangers in a group setting to develop positive connections with others. AKA: Let’s target the skittish, hyperventilating introverts and pull them out of their shells.

Naturally, this is usually planned by the extroverts hosting the meetings.

Now, I understand the importance and significance of creating relationships with peers and I fully agree with developing that life skill but, what I think people tend to miss is, introverts actually aren’t icy. We don’t need thawing out!

We’re simply like molecules that have been cooled down to a relaxed and “chill” temperature. We like to hang out with others, just as long as we have our personal bubble of security. The extroverts, on the other hand, are just permanently melted. They’re the super-heated molecules that bounce around with crazy amounts of energy, wanting to play games that require an exorbitant amount of face-to-face communication.

Being in university, unfortunately I have come across these activities quite frequently. Let me just say that icebreakers don’t bring us out of our shells or help melt the ice.

They just cause an inner snowstorm of psychological trauma. We will physically tremble and nervously sweat simply at the idea of speaking in a group of people. Now, I would classify myself as a high-functioning introvert but I get nervous even when my professors take attendance and call my name. How the heck am I supposed to function during a “team-building exercise”? Two words: panic attack.

Actually, I am very grateful to the extroverts. They are lovely people who make the world brighter; however, in regards to icebreakers, as Elsa from the Disney movie, Frozen, said, “Let it Go”. Let the extroverts have their games and just email us introverts the memo.

Introverts Unite! by Joe Wolf  Licensed courtesy of CC BY-ND 2.0