Gain competitive advantage by thinking and communicating differently
Invented to inject creativity and imagination into strategy development
The LEGO® Serious Play® Method has been around for over 20 years. The chairman of The LEGO® group was unhappy at the time with how strategy was developed. As a company that focused on creativity and imagination, he wanted the method to reflect those values.
The LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® Method is a technique which improves group problem solving. By utilizing visual, auditory and kinesthetic skills, the Method requires participants to learn and listen, and it provides all participants with a voice. The Method serves as a shared language regardless of culture, position, or age. It is also a method that requires a trained LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® facilitator
The Power of Metaphor and Storybuilding
Participants build using metaphor and story. The benefits are many:
Succinct Communication - Metaphor forces isolation of key points and limits rambling.
Active Listening - Not knowing how others will use metaphor for their model, participants listen raptly with curiosity
Reduced Tangents - It is very hard to build outside of the question at hand and workshops stay on track.
More Alignment - due to the lack of miscommunication and assumptions being surfaced, understanding increases along with alignment.
How The Process Works
Step 1
The Faciliator Poses a Question
Step 2
Each particpant builds their answer out of specific LEGO bricks
Step 3
Each participant shares their model and story
Step 4
The group reflects on the ideas and insights shared
Different Build Types for A Variety of Objectives
Expertise in Designing Workshops
Use landscapes to simplify complex environments
See connections that reveal dependencies
Test Scenarios through immersive play
See and interact with the complex environment that is your organization
Use the physical environment to understand relatedness and interdependencies
Your team builds the answers
Play test various options for transformation
Build and galvanize the cultural drivers of your team and organization
Drive engagement, alignment, and confidence in your team
FAQs
This is really used for serious business?
Yes! Although play elements are part of the process, the workshops are about solving real problems. The beauty of the method is that you are solving challenging issues while doing so in a playful way, thus getting insights and perspectives that are refreshing.
What if I can't play with LEGO bricks / I'm not creative?
All participants can build with LEGO bricks, and every person can participate in the process regardless of creative capacity. Each workshop begins with a skills building exercise (Or review) to get everyone ready to go. You are not building actual models of items but are using metaphor instead. There is no wrong answer when building.
What kinds of companies and teams is this for?
All organizations and teams can benefit, however the most appropriate are people first organizations. Organizations that believe hiring, developing, and empowering people is the path to success.
This is for team building?
It can be! The method is great for problem solving and communication. It can be used to flush out team culture or identify elements of challenges a team is facing or will face in the future. The method was built primarily for strategy but can be applied to many complex challenges.
How long does it last?
Teambuilding starts at 60 minutes, workshops start at two hours and can last multiple days, and custom programs can last months or longer depending on desired outcomes.
Is it only for creativity and innovation?
Not at all! Any place that has complexity and opportunity for growth and efficiency is a great opportunity to apply LSP.
Did you make this up?
We wish! Learn more here: www.lego.com/en-us/seriousplay