Why use the LEGO® Serious Play® method to build engagement 

The past few years have seen huge changes to the way teams operate and the way they interact with each other. There has been an increasing focus on remote working and communication. Organizations are looking for ways to mitigate any risks associated with these new ways of operating and at the same time, boost team engagement. 

Organizations are seeking innovative ways to solve complex problems and help teams to work together so that all different perspectives are included.  Teams also need to experiment with different approaches so that they find better solutions through creative thinking. 

Why is the LEGO® Serious Play® process an important tool for your organization? 

The LEGO® Serious Play® Method is based on substantial academic evidence that include theories of learning, psychology, and behavioral sciences. It has been developed over the last 20 years and is based upon the powerful ability of storytelling to transform teams as they learn to trust each other and understand one another better. 

After all, Gallup has found that highly engaged employees are more productive than others. However, only 15 percent of people globally and 35 percent in the United States are highly engaged. 

Johan Roos and Bart Victor were some of the first researchers who looked into how people work together and how they could improve their working practices to be more effective and more productive. 

They noticed that the best way to get things done is to talk to each other in meaningful ways. When people share their ideas, they learn new things and make better decisions.  They find creative solutions. 

LEGO® models are used as a trigger or fire-starter for stories that bind teams by improving authentic communication. 

Read more about their research here.

Why does the Method work well for teams? 

Teams who work in the ‘flow zone’ are more productive because they do not experience anxiety or boredom. This is where the LEGO® Serious Play® method ensures that team members feel psychologically safe so that they are ready to experiment and innovate. 

The ultimate goal is to create a space where everyone can contribute equally about any issue. To do so, we must give everyone a voice. We must ensure that no one person talks too much or too little. Every member of the group should feel comfortable speaking up without fear of being ridiculed or silenced. In order to achieve this, we must work together to ensure that every person feels valued and heard. 

Professor David Gauntlet explains more here.

Why do companies make use of the LEGO® Serious Play® process? 

Top companies including SAP, Microsoft and Hewlett Packard use the LEGO® Serious Play® method to help teams develop effective problem solving skills and become better leaders. They create goals, develop strategies and train new employees effectively. 

What’s more: 

• The LEGO® Serious Play® method creates a foundation of trust in a team.  When everyone feels that they can contribute and feel valued for their contribution in a safe environment, engagement soars. 
• Where teams are diverse and might not feel confident or assertive in expressing their points of view, the method levels the playing field so that everyone is able to set out their opinions and ideas. 
• When teams have common goals and understanding, they are more likely to head together in the same direction.  More focus and commitment to achieving common objectives ensures higher levels of engagement. 
• Teams that are creative and design innovative solutions tend to stick together by talking through solutions in an open way.  This means that not only are they engaged – they are also driving towards higher levels of business performance. 
• And what’s more – they do it faster!  When team members are truly collaborative, everyone is engaged and motivated to find the best possible solutions.  There is true respect, trust and communication is a whole lot more clear. 
• Teams are also able to adopt a Design Thinking Process so that that these 3D models become more than just physical models.  They represent the ideas and viewpoints of team members who have seen things from other perspectives. 

Why should you be trained in applying the LEGO® Serious Play® method? 

Consultants, facilitator and executive coaches are able learn how to use the methodologies in their own work with teams and other stakeholders. They gain the skill to lead LEGO® Serious Play® workshops so that they achieve positive results for all participants, even if they’re not all physically in the room together at once. 

Serious Play® is a structured process – it’s about creating innovative ideas, developing concepts and learning together. It is a process of discovery where people are encouraged to explore new ways of thinking and working. 

It isn’t about children’s play. It is about strengthening the connections between virtual and hybrid team members so they can achieve better business outcomes. 

Click here for more details on how to be trained in using the LEGO® Serious Play® process

We look forward to welcoming you to our global community.