Welcome! If you’re here, you’ve discovered a concept I believe to be the ultimate icebreaker and team-building approach: Connection Before Content. Think of this article as your crash course, packed with insights, strategies, and tools to bring intentional connection into any event, meeting, or gathering. By the end, you’ll have practical techniques to shift the way you begin your gatherings, fostering trust and engagement. Let’s dive in!
What Is Connection Before Content?
The phrase Connection Before Content originated with Peter Block, an inspiring author who emphasizes that:
“Without relatedness, no real work can occur.”
This simple but profound idea suggests that true engagement and collaboration can only happen after people connect with one another. Yet, most meetings and events ignore this principle, diving straight into content with agendas, updates, and tasks.
Why Icebreakers Fail to Build True Connection
Many traditional icebreakers fall flat because they’re not intentional. Going around the room for introductions or asking surface-level questions doesn’t foster meaningful relatedness. In fact, it can cause stress as participants focus on themselves rather than engaging with others.
Instead, Connection Before Content ensures that the connection is tied directly to the purpose of the gathering, making it intentional, meaningful, and inclusive.
How to Create Connection Before Content
The Three Ingredients of Effective Connection
- Connection to Each Other
True connection happens through interaction, not observation. Encourage small group discussions (groups of three work wonders) to ensure everyone feels seen and heard. - Connection to the Purpose
Ensure the connection activity aligns with the gathering’s purpose. For example, if your meeting is about launching a website, ask participants to share a website they recently found memorable. - Choice and Autonomy
Allow participants the freedom to engage at their comfort level. Avoid high-pressure activities like public sharing in large groups, which can alienate introverts or those hesitant to participate.
A Proven Example: Reducing Errors with Connection
A Johns Hopkins study on surgical teams demonstrated the power of connection. Teams that began their day with a simple practice—sharing names and concerns for the day—dramatically reduced medical errors and fatalities. The activity was relevant, brief, and directly tied to their purpose, highlighting the life-saving potential of Connection Before Content.
Mechanics of Connection Before Content
The Simplest Framework: One Question
Start your meetings with a single, purpose-driven question. Here’s how:
- Split into Small Groups: Divide participants into groups of three, whether in person or virtually via breakout rooms.
- Pose the Question: Choose a question that aligns with your meeting’s purpose, such as:
- “What’s one goal you’re working on that’s meaningful to you?”
- “What’s something memorable about a website you visited recently?”
- Facilitate Sharing: Allow 5–7 minutes for discussion, then bring everyone back together.
- Reflect Together: Ask, “What struck you about those conversations?” This open-ended question fosters inclusivity and encourages deeper reflection.
Nine Connection Strategies for Every Context
For a deeper dive, I’ve developed a toolkit with nine scalable strategies, ranging from low-risk, quick activities to more involved exercises. These tools work for in-person, virtual, and hybrid gatherings. A sneak peek includes:
- Sentence Starters: Simple prompts like, “Right now, I’m curious about…” help participants ease into meaningful conversations.
- We! Engage Cards: Use visual prompts and quotes to make abstract conversations tangible and memorable. (Check out the We! Engage Cards here).
- We! Connect Cards: Ideal for a flexible and autonomous activity, where participants swap thought-provoking question cards. (Learn more about We! Connect Cards here).
A Roadmap for Connection
The Connection Toolkit Roadmap integrates all these strategies into a masterclass experience. Whether you’re leading a workshop, facilitating a corporate meeting, or hosting a social event, these tools make connection-building seamless.
Free Resources and Printables
For those wanting to test the waters, grab free printable cards and resources here. Whether you choose to invest in the full toolkit or not, these resources are designed to bring connection into every setting.
Amplify Connection, Belonging, and Trust
Creating a culture of connection doesn’t require a magic wand—it just takes intentionality. With the strategies and tools outlined above, you can foster connection, belonging, and trust in any group, no matter the size or purpose.
For a deeper dive, check out the book Ask Powerful Questions, co-written with my late co-founder Will Wise. It’s packed with practical frameworks to help you amplify connection and transform your gatherings.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re leading a corporate team, facilitating a classroom, or hosting a social group, Connection Before Content can revolutionize your gatherings. Start small—try one question, one activity—and see how it changes the tone, engagement, and outcomes of your meetings.
For a complete toolkit with over 100 connection-building exercises, explore the full Connection Toolkit. Check it out here.