THINKING ABOUT MEETINGS
We believe the world works better when people meet better. That’s why we share the things we’ve learned, the methods we’ve discovered, and the mistakes we’ve made.
Check back here soon, as we’ll be posting videos, more articles, and a selection of downloadable tools for you to use.
The Fortune Teller
Most icebreakers are forgettable. In this one, partners take turns as fortune teller and curious four-year-old, and strangers connect fast.
'The Fortune Teller and the Four-Year-Old' is a distinctive yet simple activity, offering a refreshing departure from traditional icebreaker exercises. It’s designed to create immediate connections between individuals who may not be well-acquainted.
Here’s how it unfolds:
Start by dividing the attendees into pairs. One participant in each pair assumes the intriguing role of the 'Fortune Teller', while the other adopts the curiosity of a 'Four-Year-Old'.
The Four-Year-Old's mission is to ask the Fortune Teller questions about their imagined future, such as "What will I be when I grow up?" or "Who will I marry?".
Instead of providing fictitious predictions, the Fortune Teller responds with stories taken from their own history. For instance, in answering "What will I be when I grow up?" the Fortune Teller might share, "You’ll grow up to be an accountant in a bustling firm in Chicago." This response, disguised as a prediction, is a sharing of the Fortune Teller's own life lessons and experiences.
To delve deeper, the Four-Year-Old is then encouraged to ask further questions about the Fortune Teller's narrative, adding depth to the conversation before moving on to their next query.
After dedicating about 15-30 minutes to this engaging exercise, the pairs switch roles, allowing everyone to gain insights from both perspectives.
This seemingly simple exercise is a minimal investment of time that yields substantial dividends, including stronger team bonds, improved communication, and a heightened sense of empathy among team members.
Moreover, it encourages participants to reflect upon their own life journeys, fostering greater self-awareness and understanding toward others.
So the next time you find yourself in a gathering with individuals you're keen to connect with on a deeper level, try out this fortune-telling exercise. It could be the key to establishing faster, more effective connections and meetings.
Last Updated July 3, 2026