You might be wondering, “How does playing with LEGO® bricks help meet the challenging issues that confront businesses?” You could well think, “How do these 3D models in any way help develop innovative strategies?
Or work towards resolving organisational challenges? Or in fact help team development?”
The answer lies in the cognitive and emotional engagement that the LEGO® Serious Play® (LSP) process creates.
When you follow the LEGO® Serious Play® workshop methodology you begin to notice some key stand-out benefits.
Hands-On Learning:
- People think differently when they use their hands.
- The tactile nature of building with these colourful bricks helps unlock new ideas. These ideas might not come up in a standard meeting or brainstorming session.
- This approach encourages everyone, regardless of their position or personality type, to contribute meaningfully.
Visual Thinking:
- By building 3D models, participants can visualize abstract ideas in a more tangible way.
- It’s one thing to talk about a problem, but it’s another to see it laid out in front of you in 3D form.
- This visual aspect of LSP leads to richer conversations and a deeper understanding of business challenges.
Better Team Collaboration:
- LEGO® Serious Play® workshops bring teams together to ensure that there is full collaboration among participants.
- Everyone builds, everyone shares, and everyone listens.
- In tables of between 10-12 participants, everyone has a voice.
Enhanced Problem-Solving:
- By using metaphors and 3-dimensional models to represent complex challenges, LSP enables participants to explore multiple perspectives.
- It pushes individuals and teams to think outside the box—literally and figuratively.
- It’s true hands-on thinking!
Psychological safety:
- The space created in an LEGO® Serious Play® workshop allows all participants to voice their true perspectives.
- The models are visual representations of their thinking.
- These standard bricks are not used to build better models. It’s all about the story!
- The metaphorical models are in fact representations of complex issues, shared with the team in a safe, non-judgemental space.
What is LEGO® Serious Play®?
The LEGO® Serious Play® method was developed by The LEGO® Group in collaboration with academics and business experts. It was seen as a tool to unlock creativity and enable 3D thinking.
It’s become a preferred tool for organisational development.
The method’s goal is to break down barriers to communication and encourage every participant to express themselves fully using the LEGO® bricks.
These basic bricks serve as metaphors for ideas. Participants build physical representations of their thoughts, challenges, or strategies.
Why is LEGO® Serious Play® used to find robust solutions?
This process allows for metaphorical modeling of real-world problems and opportunities.
Think of it as moving from abstract thinking to hands-on creation.
When participants use their hands to build, they engage multiple parts of their brain, fostering deeper insights.
NOTE: Studies show that tactile learning can improve both problem-solving and strategic thinking. This happens by providing participants with visual, physical representations of their thoughts.
The Origins and Evolution of the LEGO® Serious Play® Method
Initially, LSP was developed to help LEGO® itself deal with internal organizational challenges.
The two key pioneers, Johan Roos and Bart Victor, with the support of Kjeld Kirk Kristiansen, the owner of the LEGO® Group, set about solidifying the key components of the process.
Over time, the method evolved and is now used globally by corporations, small businesses, educational institutions, and even non-profit organizations.
What started as a tool to improve internal communication has transformed into a powerful method for team building, strategic planning, and business model development.
These three-dimensional models are also the basis for critical thinking. It’s a way of building a better business using the LEGO® bricks as the foundation of conversation.
How Does LEGO® Serious Play® Work in your Organization?
The LEGO® Serious Play® process consists of four key steps:
- Posing the Challenge: The facilitator presents a business challenge or question that the group must address. For example, “How can we improve team communication?” or “What should our strategy be for entering a new market?”
- Building the Model: Participants build their own individual three-dimensional model that represents their thoughts or answers to the challenge. This model acts as a metaphor for their ideas.
- Sharing the Model: Once completed, each participant explains their individual model to the group. This allows for diverse perspectives to emerge.
- Reflection and Discussion: The group reflects on the models, discussing insights, patterns, and potential solutions.
Why does LSP work?
Through this process, all participants are actively engaged in using their creative imagination.
The method ensures that quieter voices in the room are heard, as every participant must build and share their model.
This leads to deeper collaboration and ensures that ideas are explored in more depth.
It also ensures that concrete actions can be set in motion.
We cannot think of a more powerful thinking tool!
Integrating LEGO® Serious Play® with Design Thinking
One of the most powerful ways to use LEGO® Serious Play® is by integrating it with the Design Thinking process. Design Thinking is an iterative process used for creative problem-solving and user-centered design. It consists of five phases: Empathize, Define, Ideate, Prototype, and Test. LSP aligns well with Design Thinking because it encourages divergent thinking, collaboration, and rapid prototyping—all core components of the design process.
In fact, many large organizations use LEGO® Serious Play® as a tool within their Design Thinking workshops. The physical nature of LEGO® models allows teams to prototype solutions quickly, explore abstract concepts, and receive immediate feedback on their ideas.
Who Should Learn how to apply the LEGO® Serious Play® Method?
LSP is a versatile tool when you are looking for innovative solutions. In fact, when you want actionable solutions that can be applied across various industries and roles.
Here’s a look at who can benefit most from our online LEGO® Serious Play® training:
- Business Leaders: CEOs, department heads, and managers can use LSP to drive innovation, develop new strategies, and create more cohesive teams. The process is particularly effective for organizations looking to break down silos and foster cross-functional collaboration.
- HR and Learning & Development Professionals: For HR and L&D professionals, LEGO® Serious Play® offers a unique way to design engaging training programs and workshops that focus on leadership development, communication, and team-building. Many organizations now integrate LEGO® Serious Play® into their corporate learning strategies.
- Consultants and Coaches: Consultants and executive coaches can use LSP to help clients solve complex challenges, develop new business strategies, and improve leadership skills. Our online certification programs equip consultants with the skills they need to offer LSP as a value-added service.
- Facilitators: If you’re a facilitator looking to expand your toolkit, becoming a certified LEGO® Serious Play® facilitator can open new doors for your career. Our online courses offer the flexibility to learn at your own pace while providing hands-on experience through interactive exercises.
Integrating LEGO® Serious Play® with Design Thinking
One of the most powerful ways to use LSP is by integrating it with the Design Thinking process.
Design Thinking is an iterative process used for creative problem-solving and user-centered design.
It consists of five phases: Empathize, Define, Ideate, Prototype, and Test.
LSP aligns well with Design Thinking because it encourages divergent thinking, collaboration, and rapid prototyping. These are all core components of the design process.
In fact, many large organizations use LEGO® Serious Play® as a tool within their Design Thinking workshops.
How to Start Using LEGO® Serious Play® in Your Organization
Ready to get started with LEGO® Serious Play®?
Here’s how you can begin:
- Enroll in a Certification Program: Our online training courses offer everything you need to become a certified LSP facilitator. Whether you’re looking for foundational knowledge or advanced facilitation techniques, we’ve got you covered.
- Get the Right Materials: LEGO® Serious Play® requires specific kits that are designed for facilitation. You can purchase these kits through LEGO’s official website.
- Set Up Your Workshop: Ensure that your environment is conducive to collaboration in real time. A successful LSP workshop requires a space where participants can build freely and share their models with the group.
- Facilitate with Confidence: Once certified, you’ll have the tools and confidence to lead engaging workshops. At Serious Play Business, we provide ongoing support and resources to help you succeed.
Becoming a Certified LEGO® Serious Play® Facilitator
At Serious Play Business, we offer certification training for professionals interested in becoming LEGO® Serious Play® facilitators.
Our courses are designed to help you master the LSP methodology and apply it in real-world business settings.
Whether you’re an HR professional, consultant, business leader, or coach, our online certification programs provide the tools you need.
At Serious Play Business, we’ve taken this proven methodology and developed comprehensive facilitator training programs.
We want to help professionals bring these transformative techniques to their own organizations.
Our courses provide all the tools, techniques, and insights you’ll need to successfully run LEGO® Serious Play® workshops in your organization.
Whether you’re looking for foundational certification or advanced training, we offer a range of online programs designed to fit your needs.
- Choose Your Certification Level:
We offer both foundational and advanced certification courses.
Our foundational course is perfect for those who are new to the LSP method.
It covers the core principles, including the LEGO® Serious Play® process, facilitation techniques, and best practices for leading workshops.
- Our advanced certification course is designed for those looking to deepen their knowledge and apply LSP to more complex business challenges.
We offer consultants, academics and HR Leaders the tools and techniques they need to lead successful workshops. We guide them on how to drive real change with LEGO® Serious Play® in organizations.
- Enroll Online: All of our courses are available online, allowing you to learn from the comfort of your home or office.
Our online platform is user-friendly and provides access to all the materials and resources you need to succeed.
- Start Learning: Once enrolled, you’ll gain access to our comprehensive curriculum. This includes video tutorials, reading materials, and interactive exercises.
You’ll also have the opportunity to participate in live Q&A sessions with our expert trainers.
- Apply What You’ve Learned: After completing your certification, you’ll be equipped with the skills and knowledge to facilitate LEGO® Serious Play® workshops in your organization or with clients.
Our courses provide practical, real-world examples of how to implement LSP, ensuring that you can hit the ground running.
The Future of LEGO® Serious Play®
As more organizations recognize the value of creative thinking and hands-on problem-solving, the demand for LEGO® Serious Play® training continues to grow.
At Serious Play Business, we’re committed to staying at the forefront of this movement. Our aim is to continue providing cutting-edge training programs, resources, and support for our community of facilitators.
We also host an annual global conference where LEGO® Serious Play® practitioners from around the world come together to share their experiences. They learn from each other, and stay up-to-date with the latest trends and innovations in the field.
This conference is a fantastic opportunity to network with other professionals, deepen your understanding of LEGO® Serious Play®, and gain new insights into how the method can be applied in your organization.
Why partner with Serious Play Business?
With over 34 combined years of experience in delivering LSP training, we are leaders in the field of LEGO® Serious Play® facilitation.
Our courses are designed by experts who understand how to apply the method to real-world business challenges.
We’re not just teaching theory. We’re equipping professionals with the tools they need to drive real results in their organizations.
By enrolling in our courses, you’ll join a global community of professionals who are transforming the way they facilitate actual workshops.
