In the 1990s, the creative minds of Johann Roos and Bart Victor developed a method that would fundamentally change the way teams think and solve problems: LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® (LSP). Originally conceived as a tool to improve strategic vision and communication in companies, LSP has developed into a globally recognized and valued method.
Creativity meets business strategy: The LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® concept
The heart of LSP lies in its simplicity and the power of interaction. It combines the childlike joy of play with the complex challenges of the business world. Participants build models out of LEGO® bricks that represent their thoughts and ideas on a particular question or problem. Through this creative process, abstract concepts are made tangible and understandable.
Promoting open communication and teamwork
A key aspect of LSP is the promotion of an open and trusting communication environment. Here, the formal "you" is replaced by the confidential "you" to create an atmosphere of equality and openness. This allows participants to talk about personal and emotional issues, which is essential for the development of innovative and tailored solutions.
The method is based on principles such as the simplification of complexity and the use of metaphors and storytelling. These tools are crucial for finding creative solutions to complex problems. In the world of LSP, complex issues are transformed into simple concepts represented by LEGO® models, allowing new perspectives and innovative ideas to emerge.
To build a model out of LEGO® bricks, you have to identify and prioritize the essential elements of a topic. This helps to structure your own thoughts and promotes understanding of the perspectives of others.
Instead of opening up themselves and expressing their feelings or opinions directly, they simply describe their model, which represents their thoughts. This takes away the shyness, reservations and fear that often hinder creativity and collaboration.
Practical application and success stories
Big names such as Google, Samsung and NASA have already recognized the benefits of LSP and are using this method to drive innovation, develop strategies and formulate visionary ideas. Through LSP, these organizations can effectively harness the collective knowledge and creativity of their teams to develop forward-looking solutions and strategies.
In practice, LSP comprises four basic steps: Challenge, Build, Share and Reflect. These steps help participants to structure their thoughts and encourage in-depth analysis and discussion. The result is often a collective solution that takes into account the individual perspectives and ideas of each participant.
One of the most important principles of LSP is the "build simple" principle. This means that you shouldn't think too much before you start building. If you don't know what to build, just pick up a brick and get started. This intuitive process often results in surprising models that reveal more about your own thought process and emotions than you initially think.
Another advantage of LSP is that it encourages participants to think and speak in metaphors. Metaphors are a powerful way of making a topic quickly comprehensible and creating an image in the minds of the audience that stays with them. By building models out of LEGO® bricks, the metaphors are also represented visually, which makes the communication even more effective.
Accordingly, Lego Serious Play can be used for various purposes and objectives, such as:
- Team and confidence building
- Strategy and vision development
- Change and conflict management
- Innovation and idea generation
- Identity and value development
The philosophy behind LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY®
LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® is more than just a workshop concept; it is a philosophy that aims to unleash the hidden thoughts and ideas within each of us. By playing with the familiar colorful building blocks, an environment is created in which creativity can flourish and innovative solutions can emerge. In a world increasingly characterized by complexity and rapid change, LSP offers a unique and effective way to face these challenges and turn them into opportunities.
If you would like to find out more about LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY, we would be happy to present our workshop in a personal meeting.
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