Leadership in Action: Dividends and Interest - Take This Job and Love It

Breaking the Ice

When I work in leadership training programs with groups of managers, this is my favorite “get to know each other” icebreaker activity. I have asked hundreds of people this question. In my unscientific research I have discovered that

• Most people have no problem coming up with an answer.
• When they describe their ideal job, they respond brightly and energetically. No matter how mundane or how “out there” their fantasy job is, they usually talk about it with a smile. For most people, thinking about this is fun.
• During breaks and over meals, training program participants often make more small talk about these fantasy jobs than about any other subject.
• Frequently, people's ideal job has nothing to do with what they really do for a ...