Once upon a time there was an elephant in the room! The power of storytelling.
Combinatory play seems to be the essential feature in productive thoughts ALBERT EINSTEIN
In our last article we introduced the idea of LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® and how it can help unlock ideation, creating a platform to include, engage and connect every voice.
This facilitation method is effective in drawing out different perspectives and approaches as it harnesses the power of metaphor and storytelling.
As James Greary highlights in his TED talk, metaphors create expectations and open the door to discovery. It's found that we use metaphor, on average, every 20 words and they have been shown to frame thought and impact on how we behave. Lee & Schwarz (2014) researched how metaphors influence us to think about complicated topics, like personal relationships. Humans love to use metaphor. But mark my words, you may have kittens when you hit the books and wrap your head around all the scientific research on this topic! If you like to read, check out James Greary’s book, ‘I Is an Other: The Secret Life of Metaphor and How It Shapes the Way We See the World’.
Metaphor also accentuates our storytelling where stories enable us to make sense of the world around us. Much has been written about storytelling with National Geographic describing it as “universal to the human experience” and typically shared “to entertain, to inform, and to promulgate cultural traditions and values”. Stories connect people (and their brains). Stephens et al (2010), found that when stories are told, the brain responses of the storyteller and the listener become similar.
If we can create the environment for us to share our thoughts and feelings so they resonate better with others, and are more understandable, then we lay the foundations for better outcomes when faced with problems. This can, and should, happen in work too! What messages could you share more effectively by including metaphors and stories?
We use personas to story tell how the LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® methodology can be used. The following personas would usually be associated with short sessions ranging from an hour or two to a full day, however this is always dependent on the context of the individual(s), team and organisation.
I’m Alex! Ideal for exploring icebreakers / teasers.
Alex is always present at the beginning stages of a LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® gathering to help guide participants. He is simple minded, driven by routine, habits, and focused on making people feel at ease and comfortable using LEGO®. Sometimes, if Alex is feeling groovy, he changes his jumper to a blue one, but it happens rarely! Alex believes in the work of psychologist Mihály Csíkszentmihályi and his theory of flow. He wants participants to gain confidence early on when using the bricks! A common phrase you will hear Alex say is “think with your hands”!
I’m Fleur! Ideal for exploring individual ideas, getting to know each other, coaching, feedback.
Fleur always likes to remind others that they are individuals and that every person’s voice counts. She is an extrovert and likes bold colours and outfits. When Fleur walks in a room, she loves the fact that people stop and stare! Fleur encourages participants to bring themselves to every LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® session – no idea, model or use of bricks is crazy to her! Although never dressed for the Arctic, Fleur talks about the ‘ideation igloo’ – a warm place where the best ideas can flourish away from a harsh, hostile and volatile environment. Her LEGO® bricks take pride of place in the igloo she creates!
We’re Simon & Aisha! Ideal for exploring idea / team building, defining objectives / plans, values / vision / mission.
Simon & Aisha love the energy Fleur brings to the party. They respect that Alex is the one that lays the groundwork, getting participants more comfortable when using LEGO® bricks at work! They believe that sharing ideas and being open and honest is the key to shifting performance and generating new ideas. Their role is to help connect the ideas whilst also making sure that people don’t feel they lose the individuality that was shared during Fleur’s session. Both ask lots of questions and think good facilitation involves everyone feeling they can contribute. The one thing you always hear them say is “if you’re talking, make sure you’re touching LEGO® bricks”!
We’ll share our other personas in a future article – they take the LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® process even further and some of their sessions can last a few days.
It could be that you now feel more of a connection to Alex, Fleur, Simon and Aisha having learnt a bit about them, but a nagging thought may still be there – isn't it still playing with LEGO® bricks? How can it add value and help me and my organisation? If a tool can be used to liberate ideas and create connections, whilst improving the way you tell stories about the work you do, your next project, some significant change etc., it will result in making things more understandable and relatable. The human brain craves certainty – information is rewarding. Storytelling and metaphors help us process this so why would you not want that for you and your teams?
Visit www.prometheanplay.co.uk to find out more.
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