The LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® Methodology
The LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® (LSP) Methodology is a facilitated thinking, communication and problem-solving technique for organisations, teams and individuals. It draws on extensive research from the fields of business, organisational development, psychology and learning, and is based on the concept of ‘hand knowledge’. As one of the Master Trainers of the technique has put it, LSP gives ‘the brain a hand’. Building models takes away from over thinking to actually help problem solving.
LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® Making a world of a difference
So how does The LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® (LSP) Methodology make a difference? In the corporate world, complex problems present themselves all the time. Unfortunately, these ‘wicked’ problems are inextricably intertwined with human resources. That’s where using a radically different problem-solving methodology like LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® makes a world of difference.
The LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® (LSP) Methodology – Based on a set of fundamental beliefs about leadership and organisations
The LSP Methodology is based on a set of fundamental beliefs about leadership and organisations:
- Leaders don’t have all the answers. Their success is dependent on hearing all voices in the room
- People naturally want to contribute, be part of something bigger and take ownership
- Allowing each member to contribute and speak out results in a more sustainable business model
- All too often teams work sub-optimally, leaving team member knowledge untapped
- We live in a world which can best be described as complex and adaptive
The LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® Methodology
The methodology employs a core process of question-build-share-reflect, and 7 application techniques. The purpose is to maximize the full potential, insight, confidence and commitment of all the people around the table.
The facilitator leads participants through a series of questions which go deeper and deeper. Each participant builds his or her own three-dimensional LEGO model in response to the facilitator’s questions using specially selected LEGO bricks. These 3D models serve as the basis for group discussion, knowledge sharing, problem solving and decision making.
Even more important is that each activity is based on a question and results in a creation that is shared and reflected upon. The key to the success of LSP is that the focus is on the model always and not on the person. This leads to meaningful and effective discussions.
Highly experiential and interactive in nature
The intent is to immerse the participants in activities that metaphorically replicate their mindsets, their reflections, aspirations and also the work environment, thereby giving opportunities to move the learning from a cognitive level to a more visceral level. Each activity generates rich discussions, sharing and reflection that address the real-time challenges the participants face within the organization!
Designing a LEGO SERIOUS PLAY Workshop
To be designed by a Certified LSP Facilitator, the LSP Workshop is customised to the assignment or the objective on hand – as in strategy, team building or problem-solving and is devised in close cooperation and dialogues with the sponsor.
Each workshop design is customised to the problem drawing upon the necessary application techniques. The workshop could be anything from one day to two days. Outcomes could be anything from defining guiding principles for a team or even a brand, problem solving, just firing up the imagination or discovering blocks holding a team or an organisation back. Through a series of guided steps the Facilitator leads the participants to a reasonable outcome – all the while working with hands, models and taking away from personal pressures or judgement.
At the end of the workshop participants realise things that they had not been able to articulate that their hands have expressed through the models! It’s amazing how the tiny little bricks take the load off the brain. Finally, your brain has got a helping hand!
