Ice Breaker – Technological Advancement

Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower.

Steve Jobs

Most weeks on The Stretched Blog, I ask an ice breaker question on Fridays. The questions are designed to help us get to know each other here in The Stretched Community. I’ll provide my answer to the question here in the post, and then you can leave your response in the comments. While you’re in the comments section, see how others answered the ice breaker question.

Question:  What technological advancement would you love to see in your lifetime?

My Answer:  I used this question last week for a Toastmasters Table Topics contest I facilitated, and I loved the answers given by the contestants.  One contestant said they’d like to see a memory chip developed to help people remember things, and another contestant said a time machine would be an amazing advancement.  I can’t argue with either of these responses.

Today, I’m speaking at the PSPE (Pennsylvania Society of Professional Engineers) 2016 Annual Conference on the topic of Engineers Managing Engineers.  As part of my presentation, I’ll be talking about the importance of encouraging innovation among our team members.  As the end of my talk, I’ll be asking attendees to help me brainstorm ways to foster innovation, so this question goes along with my experience today.

Since the memory chip and time machine ideas were already mentioned, I’m going with something different.  I’d love to see scientists develop an affordable human teleportation device.  I first saw the device imagined on early episodes of Star Trek.  Captain Kirk and Spock used teleportation to visit alien planets.  Aboard the Starship Enterprise, Scotty would “beam” Kirk and Spock all over the galaxy.

With family and friends spread throughout the world, I’d love to travel to visit others without wasting time.  I could travel to Dallas, TX to visit my parents and youngest brother whenever I want to see them.  I could go to Guatemala multiple time a year (or even multiple times a week) to spend time with friends in Santo Domingo Xenacoj.  Imagine all the possibilities of having a human teleportation device.  Beam me up, Scotty!

Answer this week’s ice breaker question by leaving a comment. I look forward to reading your response! (As always, feel free to share links.)  And keep Stretching!

To get a FREE copy of 101 Ice Breaker Ideas (an eBook by me), sign up below:

Ice Breaker – National Tattoo Story Day

Tattoos are like stories – they’re symbolic of the important moments in your life. Sitting down, talking about where you got each tattoo and what it symbolizes, is really beautiful.

Pamela Anderson

Most weeks on The Stretched Blog, I ask an ice breaker question on Fridays. The questions are designed to help us get to know each other here in The Stretched Community. I’ll provide my answer to the question here in the post, and then you can leave your response in the comments. While you’re in the comments section, see how others answered the ice breaker question.

Total is National Tattoo Story Day.  Today’s Stretched Ice Breaker question is inspired by this special holiday.

Question:  What’s your tattoo story?

My Answer:  I don’t have any tattoos, but I’m always a little curious about the reasons people get their tattoos.  It’s unlikely that I would ever get a tattoo for two reasons:

1. I hate needles.  Seriously, I don’t like them.  Why would I put myself through the process of sticking myself over and over again with needles?
2. I’m not confident I could pick something to permanently mark on my skin that I would like for the rest of my life.  For one, my skin is likely to change (stretch or sag), and a tattoo that once looked amazing might look pretty creepy some day in the future.  Secondly, my interests and tastes are likely to change over time.

Both of my brothers have tattoos, and they have their own stories.

My Grandpa Stolpe had a couple of tattoos that were used to line of the radiation beams when he was being treated for cancer.

If for some reason I were to get a tattoo, I’d probably get a cross on my thigh with the following references incorporated into the artwork:

• Hebrews 12:1-3 (Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.  Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.)
• Colossians 4:2-6 (Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.  And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains.  Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.  Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.  Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.)
• Proverbs 3:5-6 (Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.)
• I Corinthians 9:24 (Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.)

Answer this week’s ice breaker question by leaving a comment. I look forward to reading your response! (As always, feel free to share links.)  And keep Stretching!

To get a FREE copy of 101 Ice Breaker Ideas (an eBook by me), sign up below:

Ice Breaker – World Traveler

Most weeks on The Stretched Blog, I ask an ice breaker question on Fridays. The questions are designed to help us get to know each other here in The Stretched Community. I’ll provide my answer to the question here in the post, and then you can leave your response in the comments. While you’re in the comments section, see how others answered the ice breaker question.

Question:  What countries have you visited?

My Answer:  Outside of the United States, here are the countries I have visited:

• Canada
• France
• England (only on stop-overs to and from France)
• Guatemala

Writing this list, I realize I have so much more of the world to see.

Answer this week’s ice breaker question by leaving a comment. I look forward to reading your response! (As always, feel free to share links.)  And keep Stretching!

To get a FREE copy of 101 Ice Breaker Ideas (an eBook by me), sign up below:

Ice Breaker – Dream Job

Most weeks on The Stretched Blog, I ask an ice breaker question on Fridays. The questions are designed to help us get to know each other here in The Stretched Community. I’ll provide my answer to the question here in the post, and then you can leave your response in the comments. While you’re in the comments section, see how others answered the ice breaker question.

Today is kicks of Labor Day weekend here in the United States.  Most Americans see this as an end of the summer.  Labor Day is actually an opportunity to celebrate the impact of labor on our country.  While I am not part of a unionized labor group, I am proud to work in our country and to contribute to the betterment of our world.  Today’s Ice Breaker question is inspired by this special holiday.

Question:  If money didn’t get in the way of your decision, what would you do for your job?

My Answer:  Honestly, I’m a little scared to answer this question.  I am so thankful for my job.  And I’m thankful for how it provides for my family and my future.  I’m an operations manager for a major construction firm in the Philadelphia area.  I have the privilege of helping team members succeed in their projects and their career paths.  Our projects focus on providing comfort, security, and safety to the building our customers occupy.  I like what I do (most days).

Is this what I would do if money weren’t part of the equation?

Tough question.  I’m not sure.

Here are some of the things I might pursue further if money didn’t matter:

• Missionary in Guatemala – I’d love to travel to Guatemala multiple times a year.  I’d love to bring teams to Guatemala to help share God’s love to widows and orphans by building houses, providing meals, and teaching skills.
• Mentor, Coach, Speaker, Writer, Mastermind Facilitator – As I continue to tip my toes into this area, I’m excited.  I’m excited to help others who can learn from my experiences.  I’m excited to meet new people.  I’m excited to tap into an area of my brain and heart that doesn’t normally get tapped into as an engineer/operations manager.  And I’m excited about the long-term impact of these pursuits on others and on me.
• Reality TV Show Contestant or Host – I’m a big fan of Survivor and Amazing Race.  I think it would be a blast to be on one of these shows as a contestant.  I’d love the opportunity to meet new people, see new places, and STRETCH in new ways.
• Professional Ice Cream Taste Tester – I love ice cream.  Need I say more?

Answer this week’s ice breaker question by leaving a comment. I look forward to reading your response! (As always, feel free to share links.)  And keep Stretching!

To get a FREE copy of 101 Ice Breaker Ideas (an eBook by me), sign up below:

Ice Breaker – Video Game Day!

Most weeks on The Stretched Blog, I ask an ice breaker question on Fridays. The questions are designed to help us get to know each other here in The Stretched Community. I’ll provide my answer to the question here in the post, and then you can leave your response in the comments. While you’re in the comments section, see how others answered the ice breaker question.

Today is Video Game Day!  Today’s Ice Breaker question is inspired by this special holiday.

Question:  What is your favorite video game?

My Answer:  I remember playing Pong.  I remember playing games on systems like Atari 2600, Commodore 64, ColecoVision, Intellivision, and Nintendo.  I played games like Pac-Man, Donkey Kong, River Raid, Spy Hunter, Carnival, and Test Drive.  I also remember playing arcade games at the mall.  I played games like Turbo, Dragon’s Lair, and Centipede.  Now, I’m hooked on games like Clash of Clans, Words with Friends, and Boom Beach.

If I had to play a video game over and over again for days and days, I’d probably go with NBA Jam.  When I was in college at Grove City College, my roommate and I could often be found outside the Geedunk feeding quarters into the NBA Jam machine on our way to beating all the NBA duals.  I might be a millionaire today if I has simply invested the money spent on this game instead of “wasting” it on hours of virtual basketball.  Instead, I have phrases from the game like “Boom Chackalacka” and “He’s On Fire” that reverberate in my head from time to time.  Oh well!

Answer this week’s ice breaker question by leaving a comment. I look forward to reading your response! (As always, feel free to share links.)  And keep Stretching!

To get a FREE copy of 101 Ice Breaker Ideas (an eBook by me), sign up below:

Ice Breaker – American Zoo Day!

Zoo animals are ambassadors for their cousins in the wild.

Jack Hanna

Most weeks on The Stretched Blog, I ask an ice breaker question on Fridays. The questions are designed to help us get to know each other here in The Stretched Community. I’ll provide my answer to the question here in the post, and then you can leave your response in the comments. While you’re in the comments section, see how others answered the ice breaker question.

Today is American Zoo Day!  Today’s Ice Breaker question is inspired by this special holiday.

Question:  What is your favorite animal at the zoo?

My Answer:  I haven’t been to the zoo for a couple of years, and I’m not a big fan of the petting zoo (just ask my wife and kids about the llama incident at a Western Pennsylvania petting zoo).  If I were to pick one animal from the zoo to be my favorite, I would pick the giraffe.  I’m tall, and giraffes are tall.  I love the beauty of their coats.  And I like to think about what it would be like to have a longer neck.

(My favorite American Zoo is the oldest zoo in the country – The Philadelphia Zoo.)

Answer this week’s ice breaker question by leaving a comment. I look forward to reading your response! (As always, feel free to share links.)  And keep Stretching!

To get a FREE copy of 101 Ice Breaker Ideas (an eBook by me), sign up below:

Ice Breaker – Celebration of the Senses Day

‘

When you start using senses you’ve neglected, your reward is to see the world with completely fresh eyes.

Barbara Sher

Most weeks on The Stretched Blog, I ask an ice breaker question on Fridays. The questions are designed to help us get to know each other here in The Stretched Community. I’ll provide my answer to the question here in the post, and then you can leave your response in the comments. While you’re in the comments section, see how others answered the ice breaker question.

Today is Celebration of the Senses Day!  (Bet you didn’t know that.)  Today’s Ice Breaker is inspired by this special day of the year.

Question:  If you had to go without one of your senses (touch, taste, smell, feel, and hear), which sense would it be?  Explain your answer in the comments.

My Answer:  I like all my senses, and I’m definitely thankful for each of them.  If I had to go without one, I guess I’d go with the sense of smell.  I’m sure I would miss it when it was gone, but I’d rather keep the other four senses.

Answer this week’s ice breaker question by leaving a comment. I look forward to reading your response! (As always, feel free to share links.)  And keep Stretching!

To get a FREE copy of 101 Ice Breaker Ideas (an eBook by me), sign up below:

Ice Breaker – Vegetables

Life expectancy would grow by leaps and bounds if green vegetables smelled as good as bacon.

Doug Larson

Most weeks on The Stretched Blog, I ask an ice breaker question on Fridays. The questions are designed to help us get to know each other here in The Stretched Community. I’ll provide my answer to the question here in the post, and then you can leave your response in the comments. While you’re in the comments section, see how others answered the ice breaker question.

Today is National Eat Your Vegetables Day!  Today’s Ice Breaker question is inspired by this special holiday.

Question:  What is your favorite vegetable?

My Answer:  My recent most favorite vegetable is Brussels sprouts.  I particularly liked them roasted with olive oil, sea salt, bacon, and lemon zest.  Here’s the funny thing:  I hated Brussels sprouts when I was a kid.  Now, I love them.  It’s funny how things change.  (I still don’t like tomatoes though.  I don’t think they’re a vegetable anyway.)

Answer this week’s ice breaker question by leaving a comment. I look forward to reading your response! (As always, feel free to share links.)  And keep Stretching!

To get a FREE copy of 101 Ice Breaker Ideas (an eBook by me), sign up below:

Ice Breaker – Graduation

Most weeks on The Stretched Blog, I ask an ice breaker question on Fridays. The questions are designed to help us get to know each other here in The Stretched Community. I’ll provide my answer to the question here in the post, and then you can leave your response in the comments. While you’re in the comments section, see how others answered the ice breaker question.

This week’s Ice Breaker is inspired by a significant event in our family’s life happening today.  My daughter is graduating from high school.

Question:  How are you experiencing a graduation or significant milestone in your life these days?  Explain your answer in the comments.

My Answer:  My answer is pretty easy.  With Hannah graduating today, I experiencing the end of high school education for my oldest and the beginning of college.  Hannah’s transition into adulthood has required a process of letting go.  While I know I’ll still have influence on her, Hannah is ready for this next step of independence.  On one hand, it’s sad to know we won’t experience this again with her.  The past 18 1/2 years have gone way faster than I ever expected.  On the other hand, it’s a happy time.  Leanne and I are trusting we’ve done our job, and we’re excited to watch Hannah move ahead in her life.  While graduation means the end of something, it also represents the start of something wonderful.

Today she graduates, and tomorrow we celebrate with family and friends.

Answer this week’s ice breaker question by leaving a comment. I look forward to reading your response! (As always, feel free to share links.)  And keep Stretching!

To get a FREE copy of 101 Ice Breaker Ideas (an eBook by me), sign up below:

Ice Breaker – Minor League Baseball

After short break, the Stretched Ice Breaker is back!

Most weeks on The Stretched Blog, I ask an ice breaker question on Fridays. The questions are designed to help us get to know each other here in The Stretched Community. I’ll provide my answer to the question here in the post, and then you can leave your response in the comments. While you’re in the comments section, see how others answered the ice breaker question.

(I’m always looking for Ice Breaker question ideas.  If you have an idea, send me an email at jon@jonstolpe.com.  If I use your question, I’ll give you credit and share your links.)

In the past few weeks, I’ve gone to two minor league baseball games.  In the first game, I saw the Reading Fightin Phils host the Trenton Thunder.  The Fightin Phils are the AA team associated with the Philadelphia Phillies.  And earlier this week, I saw the Lehigh Valley Iron Pigs host the Norfolk Tides.  The Iron Pigs are the AAA team associated with the Philadelphia Phillies.  Both games were exciting, and the home team won both games.  I like minor league baseball games, because they are reasonably priced and they take you back to the way baseball was meant to be played and watched.  This week’s Stretched Ice Breaker is inspired by my recent minor league adventures.

Question:  If there were a minor league baseball team in your hometown, what do you think the team name would be?

My Answer:  I live in a town called Schwenksville.  Schwenksville is a small town in the northwest suburbs of Philadelphia.  It’s the home of the Philadelphia Folk Festival and the Pennypacker Mansion.  The Perkiomen Trail and Perkiomen River runs right through town.  If there was a minor league baseball team in town, it might be called the Schwenksville Super Perks.

Answer this week’s ice breaker question by leaving a comment. I look forward to reading your response! (As always, feel free to share links.)  And keep Stretching!

To get a FREE copy of 101 Ice Breaker Ideas (an eBook by me), sign up below: