The LEGO® Serious Play® (LSP) method has taken the world by storm as a groundbreaking approach to problem-solving, team building, and innovation.
But what makes it so effective? Why are organizations globally adopting it to address complex challenges?
Let’s explore why the LEGO® Serious Play® method is transformative and how you can participate in a facilitator training program to harness its full potential.
What Is the LEGO® Serious Play® Method?
Serious Play® is not mere fun and games. It is a powerful tool for addressing real-world issues.
It is a way of changing up traditional meetings to explore more complex concepts in a very different way.
This innovative approach is grounded in the principle that play enhances creativity and problem-solving skills. When participants engage in play with a purpose, they experience flow—a state of deep focus where innovative ideas emerge naturally.
Using LEGO® bricks, mini figures and special elements as a medium, serious play taps into the subconscious. This helps participants visualize abstract concepts and build physical models that represent complex ideas.
The creative thinking process encourages open communication, mutual respect, and a shared understanding within teams.
Serious Play® also fosters psychological safety.
In environments where participants feel secure, they are more likely to share bold ideas, challenge assumptions, and collaborate effectively.
This aspect of the LEGO® Serious Play® method makes it particularly useful in resolving conflicts and navigating organizational change.
Who Developed the LEGO® Serious Play® Method?
LEGO® Serious Play® was co-developed by Johan Roos and Bart Victor in collaboration with the LEGO® Group.
The method emerged in the late 1990s as a response to the need for innovative tools to address organizational challenges.
Inspired by the theories of Seymour Papert, who emphasized learning through constructionism, the method combines academic research with the playful essence and creative imagination of LEGO® bricks.
The development of the method also drew from the work of Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi on flow theory and the power of play in achieving peak creativity and performance. This rich theoretical foundation ensures that LEGO® Serious Play® is both fun and impactful.
Why Is the LEGO® Serious Play® Method Effective?
At its core, the LEGO® Serious Play® method is effective because it combines creativity with structured facilitation to unlock deeper insights.
- Unlike traditional brainstorming or discussion methods, this innovative process engages participants’ hands and minds simultaneously. It fosters critical thinking and collaboration by engaging the strategic imagination of participants.
- Research shows that engaging multiple senses enhances memory retention and encourages innovative solutions. It’s a way of connecting deeper imagination to business performance.
- The process leverages individual and collective storytelling through metaphors, which allows participants to articulate thoughts they might struggle to express verbally.
- This unique blend of play with three-dimensional models and purposeful dialogue enables teams to uncover hidden challenges. This in turn helps them to generate actionable strategies.
- The versatility of the method is another factor contributing to its success.
- Consultants and professional facilitators working on strategy development, team alignment, or organizational transformation use LSP. They find that the method offers a flexible framework adaptable to a wide range of contexts.
- What’s more it works well for online meetings and also when you are in-person.
How Does the LEGO® Serious Play® Process Work?
The LEGO® Serious Play® core process is meticulously structured to ensure meaningful outcomes.
Here’s how it works:
- The Challenge: Participants are presented with a challenge or question, such as exploring team dynamics or designing a strategic vision.
- Building Tangible Models: Each participant builds a three-dimensional model using LEGO® bricks to represent their thoughts and ideas. These are individual, metaphorical models in response to the challenge questions.
- Sharing Stories: Participants share the meaning behind their models, fostering dialogue and understanding.
- Connecting Models: In team sessions, individual models are combined to create a shared model or landscape that represents the collective perspective.
- Reflection: The session concludes with a reflection phase, where participants identify insights and actionable steps.
This structured process ensures that every voice is heard and that the output is both creative and strategic.
What Are the Steps in Using LSP?
Using the LEGO® Serious Play® method involves several key steps and some fundamental principles that in fact follow a sequence of steps:
- Prepare the Space: Ensure the environment is conducive to creativity, with enough space for participants to build and collaborate.
- Set the Ground Rules: Emphasize respect, openness, and equal participation.
- Introduce the Challenge: Clearly define the focus of the session.
- Engage in Building: Guide participants as they build individual models and share their interpretations.
- Facilitate Discussions: Encourage dialogue and help participants connect their ideas.
- Capture Insights: Document the session’s outcomes and actionable steps.
Each step in the process is designed to create a safe and engaging environment where participants can explore ideas freely. The facilitator plays a crucial role in ensuring the process runs smoothly and that the session delivers meaningful results.
Tips for Using the LEGO® Serious Play® Method
Here are some valuable tips to maximize the impact of the LEGO® Serious Play® method:
- Embrace Metaphors: Encourage participants to think beyond literal representations. Metaphors add depth and clarity to complex ideas.
- Build Individual Models First: Start with individual models to ensure everyone’s perspective is heard before moving to group models.
- Use Open-Ended Questions: Frame challenges in a way that encourages exploration and creativity.
- Trust the Process: As a facilitator, guide participants without dictating outcomes.
- Reflect and Act: Dedicate time to reflect on the insights gained and translate them into concrete actions.
It’s also important to tailor the session to the specific needs of the participants. Whether focusing on leadership development, collaborative problem-solving or strategic alignment, the LEGO® Serious Play® method can be customized for maximum impact.
Applications of the LEGO® Serious Play® Method
The versatility of the LEGO® Serious Play® method makes it ideal for various applications, including:
- Team Building: Strengthen team cohesion and communication through shared understanding.
- Strategy Development: Visualize and align organizational goals.
- Conflict Resolution: Address and resolve interpersonal or group conflicts.
- Innovation Workshops: Increase the problem-solving prowess of the participants.
- Education: Foster critical thinking and problem-solving in academic settings.
- Organizational Culture: Explore and align values, vision, and mission.
- Personal Development: Help individuals gain clarity on their goals and aspirations.
How Does Serious Play Drive Engagement?
One of the standout benefits of the LEGO® Serious Play® method is its ability to drive engagement.
By involving participants in hands-on activities, the method ensures that everyone is actively contributing to the discussion.
This level of engagement leads to deeper insights, stronger buy-in, and more actionable outcomes.
Engagement is further enhanced by the playful nature of the method. When participants are having fun, they are more likely to think creatively and collaborate effectively.
This combination of engagement and creativity makes LEGO® Serious Play® a powerful tool for driving change. And a way of encouraging out of box thinking.
Do You Want to do Certification Training?
Are you seeking new collaborative problem-solving tools? Are you looking to engage people in meetings in different ways? Is your goal to develop better team collaboration?
Becoming a certified facilitator of the LEGO® Serious Play® method opens doors to endless opportunities.
As a professional facilitator who has undertaken Facilitation Training, you’ll guide teams through transformative sessions that unlock their creative potential.
At Serious Play Business, we offer comprehensive certification programs designed to equip you with the skills and confidence to deliver impactful workshops.
Our programs provide expert guidance and practical resources to help you succeed. You will have new ideas for workshops. PLUS you will develop confidence in following the core principles of the method to create an inspiring environment for your participants.
Whether you’re an educator, corporate trainer, or consultant, certification is your gateway to becoming a leader in innovative facilitation.
Additionally, certified facilitators gain access to a global network of professionals who share best practices and collaborate on exciting projects. Certification is more than a credential – it’s a community of innovators dedicated to making a difference.
What can you expect from your interactive learning journey?
We take a pragmatic approach to your certification:
As part of your online learning and structured course materials, we include:
- Downloadable session plans that you can adapt to your context
- Fresh ideas for how to apply the method successfully for real participants
- Videos that demonstrate how to develop challenge questions for models of business issues
- Step by step guides on how to design and implement the process
- Additional facilitation skills to help you with a rich variety of different groups
- Ways to show clients and inhouse groups how to take advantage of the multitude of benefits of LSP.
Why Choose Serious Play Business?
At Serious Play Business, we specialize in delivering world-class training and workshops using the LEGO® Serious Play® method.
We ensure that you structure and deliver successful workshops to drive participant engagement and improve communication within teams.
With decades of experience and a passion for innovation, we’re committed to helping organizations achieve their goals through creative facilitation.
Visit our website at www.seriousplaybusiness.com to learn more about our training journey and certification programs.
Our team of expert facilitators brings a wealth of knowledge and experience ensuring that you benefit from the full potential of the LEGO® Serious Play® method.
Whether you’re looking to develop your leadership team, align your strategy, or foster innovation, we’re here to help.
Join the growing community of facilitators who are transforming the way organizations think, collaborate, and innovate. Discover the power of serious play today!
