Partner Interviews

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Pairs interview each other using guided questions, then introduce their partner to the larger group.

Partner Interviews is a structured icebreaker that pairs participants to interview each other before introducing their partner to the group. This activity reduces the pressure of self-introduction, builds one-on-one connections first, and ensures everyone is properly introduced. It is particularly effective for new teams, training sessions, or meetings where participants do not know each other well.

20-40 min6-50 peopleindoor
CorporateEducationalLarge GroupsAdults
Getting to Know YouCommunication

Objective

Facilitate meaningful one-on-one connections and ensure everyone is properly introduced to the group.

Materials Needed
  • Interview question sheet (optional)
  • Timer
  • Name tags (optional)

How to Play

1

Form Pairs

2 min

Pair up participants, ideally matching people who do not know each other well. For odd numbers, create one trio.

2

Provide Interview Questions

2 min

Give pairs 5-7 questions to ask each other. Include basics (name, role) and interesting questions (fun fact, superpower, etc.).

3

Conduct Interviews

12 min

Partners interview each other (5 minutes per person). Encourage note-taking to remember details for the introduction.

4

Introduce Partners

20 min

Each person introduces their partner to the larger group (1-2 minutes each), sharing interesting facts discovered.

5

Final Reflections

4 min

Briefly discuss what participants learned and any surprising commonalities discovered.

Pro Tips

preparationImportant

Prepare a mix of professional and personal questions appropriate for your setting.

facilitationImportant

Time each section strictly to ensure everyone gets equal introduction time.

Variations

Try these variations to adapt the game for different contexts and group sizes.

Speed Interviews
Multiple short 2-minute interviews before introducing the most interesting partner.

Changes:

Duration25-45 min
Mystery Partner
Introduce your partner without saying their name - group guesses who is being described.

Changes:

Difficultymedium