LEGO® is still ‘hot’. Warner Bros. launched the first big LEGO® cinema movie, a 3D computer animation in which Lego fellow Emmet is assisted by many familiar faces, like Lego Batman and Lego Superman. All of the world people feel inspired to build all kinds of stuff in Lego.
LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY™
LEGO® bricks are also being used for more serious ends: to determine a business strategy, to generate ideas, to find that one perfect candidate out of 10 possible ones for the job; yes, even to facilitate conflict resolution. The Danish toy manufacturer originally developed LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® to stimulate innovation and enhance business performance.
The LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® method is a facilitated meet, communication and problem solving method where participants are guided through a series of question that go deeper little by little. Each participant builds his or her own 3D model of specifically selected LEGO®-bricks as a response on the questions of the facilitator. These 3D models function as a base for group discussion, knowledge sharing, problem solving and decision making.
Effective use of the LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® (LSP) method is carried by a core process of four steps that are part of set of seven clear application techniques and a few principles that have been researched and have been proven in practice.
The most essential principle is to ALWAYS start from the individual. Combining this principle with the four steps gives you following results:
- 100% participation by all group members
- All participants have time to think before they answer
- You get unique insights from everyone involved on the topic of discussion
- All participants get the chance to speak up and be part of the discussion and decision making
- Communication is done in such a manner that the risk of misunderstandings and miscommunication are minimalized
The seven application techniques assure that you can dig into the results of the core process and extend upon them. For example: Application technique 2 – collective model building – is a technique that helps the group to combine their individual models into one model: team decision making.
To use LSP you have to know the LSP process. For that you need to follow a facilitator education with Robert Rasmussen, one of the LSP founders. If you are already an LSP facilitator, you can rent the specific LEGO® bricks from Business Design & Innovation.
Or you can apply LSP supported by an acknowledged facilitator. In Flanders there are several acknowledged LSP facilitators who can guide you through the process.
Want to know more about LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY®? We have acknowledged LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® Facilitators.
