“You can learn more about a person in an hour of play than you can from a lifetime of conversation.” - Plato
Last week, our team of consultants enjoyed a training session in LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® from Consuelo Verdu, innovator and design thinking specialist.
What is LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY®?
The LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® methodology is a technique used to enhance innovation and business performance. Research shows that hands-on learning techniques are conducive to a more profound understanding of the world. In business, this technique is meant to stimulate reflection and dialogue throughout the organisation.
The origins of LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY®
The LEGO Group has been inspiring children to build their dreams since 1949 when the Danish company launched their first plastic bricks. So why not support adults too in building their visions for the future? In 2010, the company decided to offer the LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® methodology as an open source, community-based model and it has been used by organisations and educators worldwide ever since.
Our LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® session
The structure of a LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® session is relatively simple. Our workshop was formed of twenty people divided into four groups. The facilitator released a challenge and participants built their own 3D LEGO models. Then, they shared the story of the model with the rest of the group.
This method is an excellent tool for knowledge sharing, discovering tacit knowledge, decision making and problem-solving. After each dynamic, teams reflected on how they related to each other.
The biggest gain of this method is that it engages participants in a free and honest exchange of opinions. By using LEGO bricks, facilitators remove the pressure of an official in-office business conversation and stimulate discussions that flow without the fear of hurting one’s feelings. The result is that the real issues are addressed. Participants can see the problems through the eyes of their colleagues and vice versa.
The LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® workshop is part of the ongoing training program for Opinno consultants and one of the most popular training sessions in the basic training cycle for new entries.
