Evolving technologies and market competitiveness demand not only understanding customers but also the ability to think innovatively, solve problems, and make sound decisions. In response to these needs, LEGO® Serious Play® was created – a revolutionary method that is gaining worldwide recognition.
LEGO Serious Play – basic information
LEGO Serious Play is a versatile method that stimulates creativity, facilitates communication, and problem-solving. Although it may appear to be a child’s play at first glance, it has deep roots in psychology, management, and organizational development. The method is based on the concept of “hand knowledge.” Participants in LEGO Serious Play sessions create metaphorical models representing their thoughts, ideas, problems, or goals by using LEGO bricks, and then tell stories about their models.
Who and when created LEGO Serious Play?
The idea originated in 1996 when two professors from IMD in Switzerland and the owner of the LEGO Group, Kjeld Kirk Kristiansen, were exploring alternative tools and systems for strategic planning. The system they developed was named LEGO SERIOUS PLAY and was introduced to the market a few years later. In 2010, the LEGO Group released the LSP method under a Creative Commons license, a community-based model. Since then, it has been further developed by a global community of experts and practitioners1.
How can LEGO Serious Play be used?
LEGO Serious Play method has a wide spectrum of practical applications. It seems like a perfect team building tool, but that’s not the only application. The workshop ideas are limitless:
- Team development and trust-building. LEGO Serious Play workshop enables teams to better understand each other and build trust-based relationships. Through building models together, team members can gain a deeper understanding of their roles, goals, and values, leading to effective collaboration.
- Problem-solving and decision-making. LSP provides an excellent tool for analyzing and solving business problems. Participants can represent their ideas in three-dimensional models, facilitating the identification of problem causes and finding innovative solutions.
- Supporting innovation and creativity. LEGO bricks allow expression of ideas in a way that is difficult to achieve using traditional discussion methods. The process of building models stimulates participants’ creativity and imagination, leading to the discovery of new solutions and products.
- Strategy and vision development. Using LSP during strategic workshops helps companies define their goals, mission, and vision for the future. Creating models symbolically representing these elements allows for a more comprehensive understanding and focus on priorities.
- Change management and adaptation. In the dynamic business world, the ability to adapt is crucial. LEGO Serious Play method helps employees better understand changes, identify their impact on the organization, and embrace new approaches.
- Improving recruitment processes. LEGO Serious Play method can also be applied in recruitment processes, allowing employers to better understand candidates’ personalities, skills, and potential, speed up their integration into the team, and improve HR processes.
Incorporating LEGO Serious Play method into business practices empowers organizations to unleash creativity, encourage innovative thinking, and foster stronger engagement among their team members. Its multi-dimensional approach transcends language and cultural barriers, making it an effective tool for organizations around the world seeking to enhance their problem-solving capabilities and optimize their decision-making processes.
_____
1 The Origins of The LEGO SERIOUS PLAY Methodology, lego.com
