What is LEGO SERIOUS PLAY?

LEGO SERIOUS PLAY is a facilitated thinking, communication and problem

solving technique used by teams, individuals and organisations.

What is LEGO SERIOUS PLAY?

Based on the concept of ‘hand knowledge’ it draws on extensive research from the

fields of business, organisation development, psychology and learning.

LEGO SERIOUS PLAY

The Challenge with Boardroom-Style Meetings, Workshops & Brainstorming Sessions

The Challenge with Boardroom-Style Meetings & Workshops

• You’re working with what you already “know that you know”

• This limits deeper insights

The Challenge with Boardroom-Style Meetings & Workshops

• Not everyone present contributes equally• Fear of being wrong• Some people

naturally dominate• Creative, innovative

contribution not realised

The Challenge with Boardroom-Style Meetings & Workshops

• Some participants “lean back” or “zone out” altogether

LEGO SERIOUS PLAY

The Advantages of LEGO SERIOUS PLAY

It Keeps Meetings & Workshops “In Flow”The Flow Model modified from work done byMihalyi Csikszentmihalyi in 1991

The Advantages of LEGO SERIOUS PLAY

100% participation, 100% of the time because everyone is building together

The Advantages of LEGO SERIOUS PLAY

• 70-80% of our brain’s nerve endings are connected to our hands

• We become emotionally committed to things we build ourselves

The Advantages of LEGO SERIOUS PLAY

• There are no ‘wrong’ answers• There is no single “right’ answer• Building skills are not important –

the meaning has more value than the model

The Advantages of LEGO SERIOUS PLAY

• Explore real issues and challenges through metaphor

• Building shared models• Telling stories and reflecting

The Advantages of LEGO SERIOUS PLAY

• Free to discuss the undiscussable• Able to think before speaking• Unlock creativity• Accelerate innovation• Bond groups• Focus on the message not the messenger

The Advantages of LEGO SERIOUS PLAY

“Creativity is intelligence having fun”

- Einstein

LEGO SERIOUS PLAY

How it Works

Application LevelsLEGO SERIOUS PLAY

System ModelsUnderstand the forces,

dynamics & impacts of, & in systems

Shared ModelsCreate mutual understanding on topics of common interest

Individual ModelsBuild alone & share to make 3D records of thoughts others are

able to see, understand &

question, to help create company

meaning

Application LevelsLEGO SERIOUS PLAY

Learn about systems. Understand how factors influence each other & explore risks,

opportunities & unintended consequences.

Learn how differently others see the same ideas. Then create shared understanding

& common meaning.

Learn enhanced communication. Use auditory, visual & kinesthetic modes to express your thoughts & feelings & understand others.

LEGO SERIOUS PLAY

Examples of Challenges

Examples of ChallengesLEGO SERIOUS PLAY

• Explore & build brand

• Accelerate innovation

• Product development

• Creative thinking• Solving complex

issues• Shared vision• Team building• Cultural change

• Align teams• Shared mindset• Leadership

development• Employee

engagement• Scenario

planning• M&A• Market analysis• Bring customer

service to life

Examples of ChallengesLEGO SERIOUS PLAY

LEGO SERIOUS PLAY

Format

FormatLEGO SERIOUS PLAY

• Workshops can be 3 hours to a full day• Usually 3-15 people• Bespoke design for your ‘challenge’• Warm-up, question, build, share, reflect

FormatLEGO SERIOUS PLAY

The facilitator will: -•Create the building challenges & questions•Keep the workshop on track•Ensure dialogue happens via the models•Ask clarifying questions

FormatLEGO SERIOUS PLAY

“You can discover more about a person in an hour of

play than in a year of conversation.”

- Plato

Thank youNatalie Sutton

+44 (0) 1276 679570