We’ve all been there.
Whether it’s your business, your voluntary organisation, your church, charity or elsewhere, we’ve all been in those meetings where we need to make progress and we just struggle. Maybe it’s hard to make sure everyone’s voice is heard. Maybe the answers are already in the room, but no-one seems to know how to find them.
Or, even when answers are found, there often doesn’t seem to be enough agreement to move forward.
If you recognise some of the above, you’re not alone. Fortunately, there is help at hand.
LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY®
The LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® methodology was created within the LEGO® Group to answer just the kind of situations we’ve just described. The methodology has since been made available for trained, certified facilitators to help groups, businesses and organisations realise their potential in ways that no other system can.
How does it work?
The LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® method works by leading a group of people through a series of questions about the matter in hand. Each participant makes a LEGO® model in response to the questions, and then each model is discussed by the group. There is then a reflection by the group as a whole and agreement on actions to be taken.
Further, larger models may be made as the workshop progresses, enabling more complex issues to be addressed. Workshops can range from a few hours to 2–3 days.
When is LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® useful?
LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® can be used in any situation where group discussion, problem solving or decision making are involved.
It is especially useful for businesses undergoing change; for education and learning; for organisations seeking new ways of innovating and generating ideas. There are specialist applications of LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® in areas such as churches and the voluntary sector and many others.
What are the advantages?
The LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® methodology means that you can achieve goals that are very difficult with conventional methods.
- Everyone in the group can participate equally, and everyone’s voice will be heard. You will gain from input that would otherwise be hidden.
- Individuals’ input will be measured and structured. People who are not used to being ‘put on the spot’ may still be heard.
- All participants are part of the decision making process. Agreement is far more consensual with LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY®.
- The potential for conflict and misunderstanding is greatly reduced. Discussion proceeds more smoothly and agreements are reached more speedily.
How do we begin?
Get in touch! Brian Johnson, owner of The Mustard Seed, is a certified LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® facilitator and there are four other facilitators working in our group, in England and North America. We can discuss how the LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® methods can help, and design and facilitate a workshop designed specifically for you – from a few hours to multi-day sessions.