The Power of the LEGO® Serious Play® Method for Business
A standout approach that has gained traction is the LEGO® Serious Play® Method (LSP)—a unique method combining LEGO® bricks with innovative thinking strategies to enhance team collaboration and strategic planning.
It’s becoming more important than ever to integrate creative and engaging tools into virtual meetings, coaching sessions, and team workshops.
Leadership teams in all fields of business are always on the lookout for game changers to help them improve communication and team engagement.
We have all experienced the incredible power that teams who are high functioning can have on the organization’s success.
In this article, we’ll delve into how LSP can revolutionize your organizational development, team dynamics, boost creativity, and foster effective problem-solving.
Understanding the LEGO® Serious Play® Method (LSP)
The LEGO® Serious Play® Method is more than just a technique for experienced facilitators. It’s a transformative process using LEGO® bricks as interactive tools for team development, real-time strategy, and effective communication.
By employing this hands-on methodology, participants explore concepts and ideas through tangible models that illustrate the power of metaphor to unlock deeper insights.
We are not just talking about a basic brick. We are creating powerful stories that remain memorable long after the session is over.
All of this happens in an environment of psychological safety. Participants share in an authentic way what they genuinely think and feel.
This “hands-on, minds-on” approach enhances creative collaboration and enables teams to visualize complex ideas. This type of invaluable experience encourages active engagement and holistic thinking.
The Psychology Behind the LEGO® Serious Play® Method
Built on extensive research and principles from psychology and cognitive learning theories, the LSP method taps into the state of ‘flow’. This is a focused mental state conducive to creativity and productivity.
By engaging both the logical and creative hemispheres of the brain, LSP empowers teams to physically express thoughts and unlock unique perspectives. These might remain hidden in traditional discussion formats where not everyone contributes.
This method encourages participants to build, reflect, and communicate their insights, fostering a deeper level of team understanding and innovation.
Strategic Applications of LEGO® Serious Play®
Integrating LSP into your business strategy unlocks a variety of benefits.
It enhances brainstorming sessions and facilitates effective problem-solving. When you see the methodology in action, you notice how it provides a playful yet strategic framework for developing business plans.
LSP empowers teams to express their thoughts in a safe, collaborative environment, making it particularly effective for:
- Crafting business strategies
- Enhancing team dynamics
- Fostering a culture of innovation and creativity
- Leadership and skills development
- Supporting organizational change initiatives
- An addition to a coaching framework
- Client engagements for consultants
- Agile project management
- Career planning
- Part of a toolkit of professional facilitation skills
The Role of a Trained and Certified Facilitator
A facilitator who is trained in LSP is essential in guiding participants through the process.
- They have a solid grasp of the basic elements of the process to ensure a productive and inclusive environment where every team member’s voice is valued.
- They have the hands-on experience and practical skills to guide the debriefing and the dialogue while assisting the participants through the building and storytelling phases.
- They also design each session to ensure that it is both impactful and meaningful.
Benefits of Workshops based on LSP
Interactive workshops using the LEGO® Serious Play® method offer numerous advantages for businesses aiming to enhance team synergy and drive innovation.
These workshops:
- Boost creative problem-solving skills to find innovative solutions
- Enhance communication within teams to ensure that they are high performing
- Foster a stronger sense of unity and purpose to kick high goals
- Develop key ways to function well in collaborative work environments
These impactful workshops build an incredible level of engagement and a foundation for improved interpersonal skills. This all adds up to a cohesive and resilient team.
The Impact of the Method on Corporate Culture
LSP’s alignment with positive psychology principles makes it an effective tool for creating positive interactions amongst team members.
This innovative process is a way of fostering a growth mindset and building an engaging and supportive corporate culture.
This positive environment leads to higher job satisfaction, stronger team cohesion, and overall productivity improvement.
Applying the LEGO® Serious Play® Method Across Industries
LSP is a versatile tool, making it applicable across various sectors.
Whether in HR for team-building and conflict resolution or in tech for user experience design, LSP adapts to the needs of each industry.
It’s an invaluable resource for visualizing strategies, managing projects, and addressing business challenges creatively.
When 100% of the participants contribute 100% of the time, magic begins to happen!
As participants move brick by brick through the process, the mood in the room becomes dynamic and engaging.
Tailoring Sessions to Specific Business Goals
Start off by choosing the appropriate brick sets to use – there are several to choose from in the LEGO® Online Store.
Planning LSP sessions is important – this is not something you can do as you think on your feet.
This ensures that the workshops are aligned with specific business objectives, whether it’s for strategic planning, enhancing creativity, or strengthening team bonds.
By tailoring the challenge questions to meet organizational goals, facilitators create relevant and impactful experiences that deliver measurable outcomes.
The Role of Ongoing Development with The Method
LSP isn’t just a one-time activity. It can be used at different stages of team development and in different formats throughout corporate life.
For example:
Incorporating regular LEGO® Serious Play® sessions into your training programs keeps teams agile, adaptive, and skilled in problem-solving.
It ensures that there is an interactive learning journey and training sessions are not just to hit the snooze button! The method works well in virtual meetings too.
This all contributes to keeping team members motivated and aligned with business objectives.
Why Consider Certification in the LEGO® Serious Play® Method?
For professionals interested in harnessing the full potential of LSP, formal facilitator training and certification provides a pathway to mastering this dynamic methodology.
Programs like the Serious Play Business Certification offer Advanced training options as well as Foundation training.
The facilitator training program helps participants to design impactful sessions, understand LSP’s strategic applications, and become adept facilitators.
We ensure that facilitators, consultants and academics are equipped with the confidence and knowledge needed to deliver transformative sessions across multiple business contexts.
We have over 35 collective years in experience to ensure that you build the professional facilitation skills you need to succeed.
Embracing the Future with the LEGO® Serious Play® Method
As businesses look for innovative ways to foster creativity and strategic thinking, the LEGO® Serious Play® method stands out as an essential tool for team and organizational development.
Incorporating LSP into your business strategy not only drives team engagement but also opens up new avenues for growth and success.
By becoming certified in using the method, you’ll join a global community of facilitators equipped to deliver engaging and impactful sessions—proving that serious work can indeed be playful.
For more information about how to complete training options, click here.
