Over the past few months, we’ve dug deep into the concept of Carefrontation: How to give and receive feedback in a way that balances honesty with genuine care. We’ve explored everything from running workshops, to fostering safe environments, to creating personal action plans. And along the way, I’ve seen some incredible engagement from this community. It’s been inspiring to watch salespeople, managers, and enablement pros come together to swap stories, share challenges, and push each other to get better.
As we wrap up this series, I thought it would be fun to take a look back and highlight my top 10 favorite moments from everything we’ve covered. These are the ideas, conversations, and takeaways that stuck with me the most—the ones I think are worth bookmarking as you continue to build Carefrontation into your sales career and team culture. Over the next few weeks, I’ll be counting them down, starting today with number 10.
#10: The Power of Icebreakers in Workshops
This might seem like a small thing compared to the bigger themes we’ve talked about, but I loved our discussion around the role of icebreakers in Carefrontation workshops. When we covered workshop exercises, we talked about icebreakers not just as “fluff” but as tools to set the tone. A simple pairing exercise where people share how they felt about feedback they received recently? That’s not just small talk—it’s a way to get people into the right headspace, to get them reflecting, and to build trust.
I’ve seen firsthand how much the first 10 minutes of a workshop matter. If people don’t feel safe, open, and ready to engage, the rest of the session falls flat. On the other hand, when you start with the right exercise, the whole energy of the room shifts. Suddenly, people are leaning in, nodding, and realizing they’re not alone in their struggles with feedback. That moment of shared vulnerability is powerful.
And this isn’t limited to workshops, by the way. Sales reps can use the same principle in team meetings or even customer calls. The idea is simple: how you open a conversation dictates how people will show up for the rest of it. If you want honest dialogue, create the conditions for it upfront. Icebreakers, done right, are one of the best tools for doing just that.
Looking back at everything we’ve covered, this is why Carefrontation resonates with me so much. It’s not about adding complexity to our sales motion—it’s about finding small, practical ways to elevate how we communicate and connect. Icebreakers may only be #10 on this list, but they capture the spirit of Carefrontation perfectly: start with care, then layer on the candor.
I can’t wait to keep counting down with you as we move through the rest of the top 10 in the weeks ahead. In the meantime, I’d love to hear from you: what’s the best icebreaker you’ve ever used or experienced in a workshop or team meeting? Drop your answers below—you might give someone in this community their next great idea.
