If you’ve ever eaten at Panera, you know their signature move: you pick two. Soup and salad. Sandwich and soup. Two simple items that, when paired together, somehow make the meal feel complete.
This quick and meaningful icebreaker for meetings borrows that same spirit except instead of food, you’re pairing words. Using a deck of We! Connect Cards, participants “pick two” words that, when combined, could transform their year.
It’s easy, energizing, and deeply connective. Perfect as a conversation starter for teams, a team building activity for work, or a reflective icebreaker for adults.
Note: The brand new Future Focused We! Connect Cards featured in this video are free (and only available*) to attendees of the 2025 Connectors Summit.
Step 1: Pick Two Words That Could Transform Your Year
Spread out the deck of cards on your table. Then, take a minute to look through and choose two words that if combined could shape or transform your year ahead.
The combination matters. Just like soup and salad complement each other, your chosen words should work together to create something even more meaningful.
Chad offers the perfect analogy:
“Sometimes chocolate is good and sometimes peanut butter is good but you give me a Reese’s, and I’m like, ‘Yes! Give me more of that.’”
Once everyone has their two cards, pair up with someone at your table and share why you chose your combination.
Step 2: Share Your Thought Process
You don’t have to wait for instructions, this exercise is about organic conversation and curiosity. When you’ve chosen your two words, turn to the person beside you and share your thought process:
- Why did these two words stand out?
- How might they shape your year?
- What would it look like if you actually lived those words out day-to-day?
This simple prompt opens the door to deep connection quickly. It’s the kind of icebreaker for small groups that feels natural, not forced.
Step 3: Continue the Conversation Beyond the Exercise
I often joke, “Half my job is starting conversations, and the other half is ending them.”
In this case, though, the goal isn’t to end conversations, it’s to spark them.
Even though the exercise may wrap up quickly, the invitation is to keep those conversations going over lunch, during breaks, or even back at the office. The words people choose can become tiny anchors for future connection.
When you know something meaningful about a colleague, something personal or intentional, you’re more likely to stop in the hallway and say:
“Hey, how’s that ‘growth and balance’ thing going?”
That small moment of recall strengthens relationships and makes your workplace feel more human.
Why the “Pick Two” Icebreaker Works
This activity is simple, but powerful. It blends playfulness with reflection, and it works across all kinds of teams, corporate, nonprofit, education, and beyond.
It encourages:
- Intentional reflection: Choosing two words forces clarity on what really matters.
- Connection: Sharing those words with a peer builds understanding and empathy.
- Momentum: It gives teams conversational anchors to revisit long after the session.
You can run this in-person using We! Connect Cards or digitally by listing 20–30 values or words in a shared document or chat and asking participants to “pick two.”
Try It Yourself
Next time you want a fun, fast, and meaningful icebreaker for team meetings, invite your group to “Pick Two.” It’s reflective enough to spark insight, but lighthearted enough to keep the energy up.
For even deeper facilitation tools and activities, check out the Connection Before Content Masterclass or grab a deck of We! Engage Cards to mix things up in your next session.
And don’t forget you can download free printable cards, book excerpts, and special bonuses at weand.me/tools.
