You probably remember LEGO® from your childhood, a time filled with joyful imagination, building whatever your mind conceived. Now, imagine using LEGO® not just for fun, but as an innovative and effective learning and professional development tool. Welcome to LEGO® Serious Play® (LSP), a facilitated thinking, communication, and problem-solving technique for organizations, teams, and individuals.
LEGO® Serious Play® is much more than building colorful brick structures. It’s a unique method that allows participants to explore the relationships within their real-world systems in a dynamic and collaborative way. Rather than being a traditional linear process, LSP provides an opportunity to think with your hands and listen with your eyes. It’s a paradigm-shifting approach that challenges conventional thinking about adult learning and development.
BUILDING BETTER LEARNING USING THE LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® METHOD
Imagine a training session where participants eagerly lean in, engage in lively discussions, build tangible models, and tell compelling stories. LEGO® Serious Play® provides a three-dimensional language that breaks through linear thinking and taps into the natural multidimensional way our minds work.
Through hands-on learning, participants in an LSP workshop use LEGO® bricks to build a physical representation of their thoughts and ideas. These 3D models serve as a basis for group discussions and knowledge sharing. It’s an active, engaging, and collaborative approach to learning that enhances understanding and retention.
WHERE DOES THE METHOD ACTUALLY COME FROM?
LEGO® Serious Play® was developed at the turn of the century by professors Johan Roos and Bart Victor, and Robert Rasmussen, a LEGO® executive. They were looking for innovative ways to improve strategic planning and organizational development.
Their research resulted in the creation of LSP, a technique that stimulates creativity, communication, and collaboration. It allows individuals to express their thoughts and feelings in a safe environment. By engaging the brain’s capacity for play, they created a method that fosters innovative thinking and effective problem-solving.
WHERE DOES THE METHOD ACTUALLY COME FROM?
LEGO® Serious Play® was developed at the turn of the century by professors Johan Roos and Bart Victor, and Robert Rasmussen, a LEGO® executive. They were looking for innovative ways to improve strategic planning and organizational development.
Their research resulted in the creation of LSP, a technique that stimulates creativity, communication, and collaboration. It allows individuals to express their thoughts and feelings in a safe environment. By engaging the brain’s capacity for play, they created a method that fosters innovative thinking and effective problem-solving.
BENEFITS OF LEGO SERIOUS PLAY IN TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT
Using the LEGO Serious Play method in training and education has numerous benefits. For one, it promotes better understanding and retention of knowledge. The dynamic, hands-on nature of LSP enables participants to express their thoughts in a tangible way, stimulating deeper engagement and comprehension.
Moreover, LSP enhances communication and collaboration. By creating physical models, individuals can visualize and discuss abstract concepts, leading to shared understanding and innovative solutions. It breaks down hierarchical and functional barriers, promoting a culture of equal participation.
Additionally, LSP facilitates creativity and innovation. By leveraging the fun and playful nature of LEGO® bricks, participants are encouraged to think outside the box and explore new possibilities. It’s a powerful tool for generating fresh insights and ideas.
HOW LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® CAN BE USED TO TRAIN PROFESSIONALS
In the professional realm, the LEGO® Serious Play® method has wide applications. It can facilitate strategic planning, team-building, and leadership development, among others. By enabling professionals to visualize complex scenarios, it provides a clear and shared understanding of the issues at hand.
For instance, during strategic planning, professionals can use LSP to construct a 3D model of their organization’s strategy, enabling them to see its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. It encourages dialogue, critical thinking, and collaborative decision-making.
Similarly, for team-building, LSP can help illuminate team dynamics and relationships. By constructing a shared model, team members can gain insights into their roles, responsibilities, and interactions, fostering stronger collaboration and team cohesion.
HOW LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® CAN BE USED TO TRAIN PROFESSIONALS
In the professional realm, the LEGO® Serious Play® method has wide applications. It can facilitate strategic planning, team-building, and leadership development, among others. By enabling professionals to visualize complex scenarios, it provides a clear and shared understanding of the issues at hand.
For instance, during strategic planning, professionals can use LSP to construct a 3D model of their organization’s strategy, enabling them to see its strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. It encourages dialogue, critical thinking, and collaborative decision-making.
Similarly, for team-building, LSP can help illuminate team dynamics and relationships. By constructing a shared model, team members can gain insights into their roles, responsibilities, and interactions, fostering stronger collaboration and team cohesion.
YOU READ THAT RIGHT: ONLINE. LEGO SERIOUS PLAY
Even in the digital age, the power of LEGO® Serious Play® is not diminished. Online workshops have become a reality, offering flexibility and convenience without compromising the benefits of this innovative methodology. Facilitators use digital platforms to conduct LSP sessions, guiding participants as they build and share their LEGO® models from the comfort of their own homes or offices.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS ABOUT LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY®
01. IS LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® ONLY SUITABLE FOR LARGE GROUPS?
Not at all. Using the LEGO® Serious Play® method works effectively with groups of all sizes, from one-on-one sessions to large teams. The method is flexible and can be adapted to various contexts and participant numbers.
02. CAN LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® BE USED FOR PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT?
Absolutely. While the LEGO® Serious Play® method is often used in organizational settings, it is equally powerful for personal development. It can help individuals gain insights into their skills, aspirations, and challenges in a tangible, visual way.
03. WHAT KIND OF LEGO® BRICKS ARE USED IN SERIOUS PLAY®?
Specialized LEGO® Serious Play® kits are used in sessions. These kits contain a carefully curated selection of LEGO® bricks and elements designed to stimulate creativity and facilitate the exploration of ideas.
04. HOW IS AN ONLINE LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® SESSION CONDUCTED?
In an online session, each participant has their own LEGO® Serious Play® kit. The facilitator guides the session via a digital platform where participants build their models and share them using their webcams. Despite being in different locations, the interactive and collaborative nature of the LSP method is fully maintained.
05. HOW LONG DOES A LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® SESSION LAST?
The duration of a LEGO® Serious Play® session can vary depending on the objectives. It can be as short as a few hours or last several days for more in-depth explorations. It’s the facilitator’s job to design the session to fit the time available while ensuring the objectives are met.
06. HOW CAN I GET LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® TRAINING IN INDONESIA?
KPI Consultancy is a Jakarta-based training consultant, providing training services to local and multinational companies in Indonesia. KPI uses the LEGO® Serious Play® methodology in a wide range of soft skills training from leadership to communication to collaboration and problem-solving. To learn more about how this innovative approach can benefit your organization or to request a quotation, feel free to contact us for a free consultation. You can also check out this video to see how LEGO® Serious Play® methodology is used in our training sessions.
