Not sure how to start? Try these conversation starters!
For a classic coffee chat βοΈ
What's your favorite way to spend a weekend?
Have you read any good books or watched any interesting movies lately?
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?
What's one hobby or interest you have that people might find surprising?
Do you have a favorite coffee shop or restaurant in the area? What do you like about it?
What's the best piece of advice you've ever received?
If you could have dinner with any historical figure, who would it be and why?
What's one project or goal you're currently working on that you're excited about?
How did you get into your current line of work or field of study?
Whatβs one goal you have for this year, either personally or professionally?
For buddy programs π€
What inspired you to join this buddy program?
Can you share a bit about your background and what brought you here?
What are you most excited about in your current role or project?
What skills or knowledge are you hoping to develop through this program?
What's a recent accomplishment you're proud of?
How do you like to spend your free time outside of work?
What's one thing you wish more people knew about your job or field?
Can you tell me about a mentor or colleague who has made a significant impact on your career?
What do you find most challenging about your work, and how do you tackle those challenges?
Whatβs a goal you have for our time together in this buddy program?
For team networking programs π
What's one thing you appreciate most about our team dynamic?
How do you like to celebrate team successes and milestones?
Can you share a time when your team overcame a significant challenge?
What's a project you worked on that you're particularly proud of?
How do you prefer to give and receive feedback in a team setting?
What do you think makes a team work well together?
What are your top priorities for improving workplace connections?
What strategies do you use to build rapport with new colleagues?
How do you handle conflicts or misunderstandings to maintain a positive work environment?
For remote work programs π¨βπ»
What do you find most rewarding about working remotely?
Can you share your favorite tip for staying productive while working from home?
How do you maintain a healthy work-life balance in a remote work setting?
What's a challenge you've faced working remotely, and how did you overcome it?
Whatβs your favorite remote team-building activity?
Whatβs one thing you miss about working in a traditional office, and how do you compensate for it in a remote environment?
For onboarding programs π
Ask the new hire...
What excited you most about joining our company?
What are your first impressions of the company culture here?
How can we best support you during your onboarding process?
What skills or experiences are you most looking forward to contributing to the team?
What do you hope to learn or achieve in your first six months with us?
Is there anything specific you're curious about regarding our team or projects?
How do you like to receive feedback and support as you get settled in?
Ask the senior member...
What advice would you give to someone just starting at our company?
Can you share a bit about the team dynamics and how new hires can best integrate?
What are some common challenges new employees face, and how can they overcome them?
What qualities or skills do you think are most important for success in this role?
How do you typically support new team members during their onboarding process?
For learning & mentoring programs π
Ask the mentee...
What are your primary goals and expectations for this mentoring relationship?
Can you share some specific areas where youβre seeking guidance or development?
What has been your biggest challenge in your career so far, and how are you addressing it?
How do you prefer to receive feedback and communicate about your progress?
What skills or knowledge are you most eager to learn from your mentor?
Ask the mentor...
What motivated you to become a mentor, and what do you hope to achieve in this role?
Can you share an experience where mentoring significantly impacted your career or personal growth?
What do you see as the most important qualities or skills for success in our field?
How do you approach setting goals and tracking progress with your mentees?
What advice do you give mentees to help them navigate challenges and opportunities in their careers?
For community programs π
What motivated you to join this community-building program?
Can you share a personal story or experience that illustrates the importance of community in your life?
What do you think are the key factors that contribute to a thriving and resilient community?
How do you see technology and social media impacting the way communities connect and interact?
What role do you believe businesses and organizations should play in supporting local communities?
Can you identify any specific needs or challenges within your community that you feel passionate about addressing?
How can we ensure that marginalized or underrepresented voices are included and empowered within community initiatives?
What strategies do you think are most effective for fostering collaboration and cooperation among community members?
How do you envision sustaining the momentum and impact of community projects and initiatives in the long term?
What is one small action you can take today to contribute positively to your community?
For cross-cultural conversations π
Classic questions :
What do you think is interesting about your culture?
What is reverse, or re-entry, culture shock? Have you ever experienced reverse culture shock?
Do you know much about your own culture?
On what occasions do you exchange flowers in your country?
Have you ever felt confused by the actions of someone from another culture? If so, tell me about it.
How do young people in your culture behave differently from people in this culture?
What do you think is important when visiting another culture?
Who in your culture do you admire the most?
Whatβs a common misconception about your culture that youβd like to clarify or correct?
If you could introduce one aspect of your culture to the team, what would it be and why?
Can you share a story about a time when understanding a different culture helped you in a professional or personal situation?
When people from other countries think about your culture, what do they usually think of?
In your culture is it polite to be straightforward and direct when you talk to someone? To whom is it OK and to whom is it not OK?
What does it mean to be polite in your culture?
Would you ever consider marrying or dating someone from another culture?
What is considered rude in your culture?
What is the best/most important thing your culture has given to the world?
How do you express feelings in your culture?
Funny Questions :
Pinneapple on pizza?
Removing shoes when you enter home?
Black Coffee or Coffee with milk?
Pain au chocolat or chocolatine?
If aliens visited your country, what might surprise them?
Do you eat in silence or make slurping while eating?
Soccer or Football?
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