My mum told me to get rid of my brick toys. But I just can't LEGO®
What you learn in the process of making something that is truly yours tends to sink much deeper into the subsoil of you mind than what anyone can tell you PAPERT
The concept of LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® began in 1996 when a couple of professors partnered with the LEGO® Group CEO to explore alternative strategic planning tools and systems.
It expands on Jean Piaget’s constructivism theory and Seymour Papert’s constructionism. Merlin Donald, a psychologist and cognitive neuroscientist, also showed that the human brain becomes more powerful when we can use tools to externalise our ideas and thoughts. It’s how we have evolved. If you like to read, check out his book – “A mind so rare: the evolution of human consciousness”.
The late Mihaly Csikszentmihaly’s concept of flow comes to life during these LEGO® moments: the brain neo-cortex ramps up increasing the speed of learning; the brain pre-frontal cortex shuts down, with individuals seemingly experiencing loss of time.
The science behind play has been studied over many decades, recognising the impact it can have on adults, not just children, making us feel good, unleashing our creativity and channelling our subconscious. Check out our last post to learn more.
But what will using LEGO® bricks do that makes it so different and impactful?
For a start, most people have used or come across LEGO® bricks – using clay, pen and paper or recycled household items are less efficient with the focus being more on the ‘creating’ as opposed to the ‘story’ that needs to be told.
My son, Daniel and I often do what we call, ‘LEGO® challenge’. It’s a game where he writes down any topic (ranging from ‘happiness’ to ‘haunted house’) and in 5 minutes we build our interpretation. We then discuss, explaining what each part of our model means. I learn so much about him, how he thinks, makes connections and engages at a deeper level, bringing his ideas to life. The models and reflections become insightful and memorable for both of us – 30 years apart.
Every LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® session follows the same process; warming people up and gaining confidence in using the bricks; getting individuals to build their answer to various questions; sharing with each other, drawing out any insight; capturing the moments.
We ran a session with some senior individuals. It was amazing to see the level of building skill and, more importantly, the discussion/agreement was coherent and focused. One of the directors said: “Our meetings are usually ‘passionate’, but this was different. I noticed how animated we all were but in a fun and engaging way. It definitely was a moment where everyone was truly listening and contributing”.
It unlocks the potential of a group, ensuring that every voice is heard. The facilitated process deepens understanding, sharpens insight, and helps create or strengthen the social fabric of the team, reinforcing psychological safety. Research by McKinsey (2021) shows why this is critical. Wheeler et al (2020) confirm it too, citing a lasting impact post LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® interventions. David Gauntlett draws on creativity research and suggests that “distinctive and novel ideas arise when individuals feel uninhibited, encouraged, and supported”.
Now, you still might be fighting this idea and thinking what on earth would my leadership team think if I strolled into the Board room with four buckets of LEGO® bricks? They certainly wouldn’t tell you the real truth, which is the association happening at a deeply subconscious level as they recall their last interaction with LEGO® - maybe a bit like the feeling I get when building with my son?
Considering 6 2x4 bricks can be combined in over 915 million ways, the options surrounding the LEGO® system are truly endless. So next time you happen on some LEGO®, why not pick up a few pieces, seeing for yourself the limitless possibilities and potential. Or even better, enable forward thinking and consider using the LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® methodology in your organisation.
Visit www.prometheanplay.co.uk to find out more.
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