In organisational life creating genuine conversations and meaningful connections is more important than ever. Traditional meetings and one way ‘training’ session often fail to engage participants fully or to bring out their best ideas. So, for something different here’s LEGO® Serious Play® (LSP) – a unique and effective approach designed to create real conversations and connections. But what exactly is LEGO® Serious Play®, and how can it transform your team’s conversations? Let’s explore.
What is LEGO® Serious Play®?
LEGO® Serious Play® is a facilitated meeting, communication, and problem-solving method where participants use LEGO® bricks to build models that represent their thoughts, ideas, and reflections. This hands-on, minds-on approach encourages people to articulate their insights in a visual and tangible way. Developed by the LEGO® Group in collaboration with leading academics and business experts, LSP is rooted in research from business, organisational development, psychology, and learning fields.
The Key Points
LEGO® Serious Play® is based on a few fundamental principles that bring it to life.
- Everyone’s Contribution Matters :Every participant has valuable insights and perspectives to share.
- Hands-On Learning. Engaging both hands and mind fosters deeper understanding and retention.
- Shared Understanding. The process promotes a collective understanding and alignment within the team.
- Storytelling. Participants build and share stories through their models, enhancing communication and connection.
How Does LEGO® Serious Play® Work?
LEGO® Serious Play® sessions follow a structured yet flexible process to meet the group’s needs.
- Question: We ask a question, this can be anything the group would benefit from talking about.
- Build: Everyone builds a model in response to the question using LEGO bricks, encouraging creative and personal expression.
- Share: Participants share the stories behind their models with the group, creating open communication and diverse perspectives.
- Capture and Reflect: The group reflects on the shared stories and insights, discussing common themes and identifying potential solutions or strategies.
The Benefits of LEGO® Serious Play®
LEGO® Serious Play® offers so many benefits for organisations and teams:
- Genuine Conversations: The playful and hands-on nature of LSP breaks down barriers, encouraging open and honest dialogue.
- Enhanced Connection: Building and sharing models promote a sense of equality and inclusivity, ensuring everyone’s voice is heard, leading to stronger team bonds.
- Deeper Engagement: The interactive format keeps participants engaged and focused, resulting in more meaningful discussions.
- Creative Problem-Solving: Visualising complex issues and exploring different perspectives helps teams uncover root causes and develop effective solutions.
- Shared Vision: LSP helps align teams around a common vision and goals, providing clarity and direction for future actions.
Real-World Applications
LEGO® Serious Play® can be applied in various contexts, from small team meetings to large organizational workshops. Here are a few examples:
- Team Building: Strengthen relationships and improve communication within teams.
- Strategic Planning: Develop and align around strategic goals and plans.
- Innovation: Generate new ideas and solutions for products, services, or processes.
Getting Started with LEGO® Serious Play®
If you’re interested in bringing LEGO® Serious Play® into your organisation, here are a few steps to get started:
- Work with a Certified Facilitator: Sima are experience and certified LSP facilitators. We can guide your team through the process, ensuring that the sessions are productive and aligned with your goals.
- Define Your Objectives: Work with us to clearly define what you hope to achieve with LSP. Whether it’s improving team dynamics or developing a new strategy, we will create clear objectives to focus the sessions.
- Be curious: Prepare the team to come to the session with a curious mind, ready to explore new ideas and perspectives through hands-on creativity.
LEGO® Serious Play® is a powerful tool for fostering real conversations and meaningful connections within organisations. By engaging both the hands and the mind, LSP helps teams think more deeply, communicate more effectively, and develop innovative solutions. Whether you’re looking to improve team dynamics, plan strategically, or drive innovation, LEGO® Serious Play® offers a fun and effective approach to achieving your goals.
Ready to transform your organisation with LEGO® Serious Play®? Reach out to Simia today to bring LSP to your team!