The LEGO® Serious Play® Method Explained: The Build Phase
The Power of Building: Unleashing Team Potential through LEGO® Serious Play®
Facilitated Team Building is Better Than Free Range Team Building
In the realm of team building, one word stands out: build. At IN8 Create, we take this concept literally through the innovative LEGO® Serious Play (LSP) method. After facilitating over 100 sessions, I've observed a fascinating phenomenon that occurs during the build phase – a level of focus and engagement that's truly remarkable.
The Magic of the Build Phase
When participants are given LEGO® bricks and a prompt, something extraordinary happens. The room fills with an intense, almost palpable concentration. Despite the time constraints (which are intentional), participants dive deep into the creative process. This focused building time is where the magic of LSP truly shines.
Why the Time Crunch?
You might wonder why we limit building time. It's not to stress participants, but to tap into their instinctive creativity. When time is short, we bypass our internal censors and access more authentic, spontaneous ideas. This time pressure creates an environment where innovation can flourish.
The Multi-Faceted Benefits of Building
The build phase of LSP offers several unique advantages:
Tactile Engagement: By using their hands, participants engage more parts of their brain. This tactile experience enhances cognitive processing, leading to more holistic thinking and creative problem-solving.
Pause for Reflection: The build phase provides a moment of quiet contemplation. In our fast-paced world, these moments of reflection are rare and valuable, allowing for deeper, more considered responses.
Externalizing Ideas: As participants build physical representations of their thoughts, they're externalizing their ideas. This process often leads to sharing deeper, more vulnerable concepts that might not surface in traditional discussion formats.
Equal Participation: Everyone builds simultaneously, ensuring that all voices have the opportunity to be represented, regardless of verbal communication skills or hierarchical position.
Inside the Builder's Mind
During the build phase, participants grapple with several questions:
"How do I want to answer this question?" This introspection often leads to insights participants didn't know they had.
"How can I make this clever, funny, and/or unique?" This question sparks creativity and personal expression.
"Where did that eyeball piece go?" The playful nature of LEGO® keeps the atmosphere light, even when addressing serious topics.
As the timer winds down, the energy in the room shifts. Some participants make frantic last-minute additions, while others survey the table, curious about their colleagues' creations. This anticipation builds excitement for the sharing phase that follows.
The Power of Metaphor
One of the most potent aspects of LSP is its use of metaphor. By representing complex ideas or emotions through LEGO® models, participants can express concepts that might be difficult to articulate verbally. This metaphorical thinking often leads to breakthrough moments and novel solutions.
Breaking Down Barriers
The build phase of LSP is a great equalizer. Regardless of job title or experience, everyone starts with the same bricks. This levels the playing field, allowing ideas to be judged on their merit rather than their source. It's not uncommon to see the quietest team member produce the most impactful model, or a senior executive gain new respect for a junior colleague's perspective.
Fostering Multi-Generational Collaboration
One of the beautiful aspects of LSP is its ability to bridge generational gaps. Whether you're a Baby Boomer, Gen X, Millennial, or Gen Z, LEGO® bricks are universally engaging. This common ground fosters cross-generational understanding and collaboration, essential in today's diverse workplaces.
Unlocking Discretionary Effort
The engagement fostered during LSP sessions often extends beyond the workshop. By tapping into intrinsic motivation and creativity, LSP can ignite a spark of discretionary effort – that extra mile employees go when they're truly invested in their work and their team.
Bringing LSP to Your Team
Imagine the potential insights and innovations waiting to be unlocked within your team. What questions would you pose if you had this powerful method at your disposal? Here are a few thought-starters:
"Build a model that represents our team's biggest challenge."
"Show us what success looks like for our next project."
"Create a representation of our ideal team culture."
The possibilities are as limitless as your imagination – and your supply of LEGO® bricks!
The build phase of LEGO® Serious Play is more than just a fun activity – it's a powerful tool for unlocking team potential, fostering creativity, and driving meaningful collaboration. By providing a structured yet playful environment for reflection and expression, LSP allows teams to tap into their collective wisdom and build towards a brighter future, one brick at a time.
Are you ready to build something amazing with your team?
Contact us today for session options and to book your preferred time slot!!!
