This ice breaker is particularly good when the group is homogenous, and can understand each other’s issues. Find a vase similar in shape to “a genie in a bottle.” Tell the group that the Genie has mystical powers to solve one business problem, and that you will pass around the bottle for them to share their problems.

Hand the vase to a member of the group. If you want to increase the amusement factor, have them rub the vase as they express their problems. When one participant is done, the Genie passes to another until all members have made their “wishes.”

Variations of this ice breaker include ways to surface training or work issues that can be written on a flipchart, and discussed in class or at a later time.