Why Lego Serious Play Works and When to Use It
Ever walked into a meeting room to find a table full of LEGO bricks and thought, "Are we really doing this?" You're not alone. Many professionals initially raise an eyebrow at LEGO Serious Play (LSP), dismissing it as just another corporate gimmick. But there's something rather magical that happens when those colourful bricks hit the table.
Let's talk about why this seemingly playful approach is actually a powerful tool for business transformation.
The Science Behind the Bricks
At its core, LEGO Serious Play works because of something called "disassociation" - fancy word, simple concept. When teams face challenges or conflicts, emotions can run high. But here's the clever bit: using LEGO to visualise and discuss these situations creates a buffer between the issues and the feelings attached to them.
Think about it. When you're physically building something with LEGO, you're literally putting distance between yourself and the problem. This separation makes people:
Less emotional about their positions
Less defensive about their ideas
More open to different perspectives
More relaxed and collaborative
It's like having a conversation about yourself in the third person - suddenly, everything feels less personal and more manageable.
Breaking Down Barriers, Building Up Teams
The beauty of LSP lies in its versatility. Whether you're working on strategy development, team cohesion, or leadership alignment, those little plastic bricks have a way of breaking down walls (while building other, more useful ones).
When team members aren't quite clicking, or communication has become strained, LSP provides a neutral ground. Instead of pointing fingers or getting stuck in circular arguments, people find themselves naturally collaborating and sharing ideas through their builds.
The transformation is often remarkable. Even the most sceptical participants - you know, the ones who walk in with that "I can't believe we're playing with toys" look - typically have an "aha" moment once they start building. It's as if the physical act of creating something unlocks a different way of thinking and communicating.
From Playful to Professional
LSP isn't just about team bonding - though it excels at that. It's a serious tool for tackling real business challenges. When leadership teams need to align on strategy, for instance, building physical representations of their vision helps identify misalignments and gaps that might have remained hidden in traditional discussions.
Employee engagement? LSP has that covered too. There's something uniquely empowering about being able to build and explain your perspective in a three-dimensional way. It gives everyone a voice, regardless of their position or natural communication style.
The real power of LSP lies in its ability to bypass our usual professional facades and get to the heart of matters quickly. When people are less wedded to their own ideas and more open to collaboration, real progress happens.
The next time you find yourself facing a challenging team situation, consider reaching for the LEGO bricks. Yes, it might feel a bit strange at first. But remember: sometimes the most powerful solutions come in the most unexpected packages.
After all, if we can build entire worlds with LEGO bricks, surely we can build better teams, strategies, and organisations too. The only question is: are you ready to play seriously?
Want to learn more about LEGO Serious Play? Litmus helps people and teams feel in their element and communicate in a way that’s anything but neutral.
Take a look at our Services or get in touch to find out more.