Conversation starters for office teams

Small talk that is safe at work

Teams work better when people know each other a little as people, but the office is also the place where a careless personal question does the most harm. These questions are chosen to sit in the safe middle. They ask about preferences, habits and harmless opinions (tea or coffee, the best desk snack, the most useful shortcut), which anyone can answer in a line without revealing more than they wish to.

Where to use them

In a team chat, post one on a slow afternoon or a Friday. In a meeting, use one as a two-minute warm-up while people are still joining; go round quickly and take one line from each person, starting with yourself. With a new joiner, pick a question that lets them show a skill or a taste rather than their history. For remote teams, a weekly question in the group replaces some of the chat that used to happen at the tea counter.

Lines not to cross

Never make answering compulsory, and never comment on who did not answer. Stay away from family plans, marriage, age, health, religion, politics, salary and anything about a person's appearance; these are private, and in some cases a question from a senior can feel like pressure. If you manage the team, answer first and briefly, and let juniors speak before you give opinions.

See also the office group rules and the icebreakers for a new group.

How to get replies

• Post one question at a time, not a list.
• Answer it yourself first. A short, honest answer invites others.
• Choose a time when people are free: Sunday morning for families, lunch break for teams.
• React to every answer. People reply again when they feel heard.

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