Unlocking Innovation and Creativity with LEGO® Serious Play®

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People around a table with lego pieces scattered around, there are five people creating small models
Photo Credit: Fien De Vos - Session of LEGO® Serious Play® Visioning and goal setting

When it comes to solving complex problems or brainstorming groundbreaking ideas, traditional approaches can sometimes fall short. Meetings devolve into monotonous routines, creativity feels stifled, and not every voice gets the recognition it deserves. This is where LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® (LSP) enters the picture—a dynamic methodology designed to bring creativity, communication, and collaboration to life.

At its core, LSP transforms abstract ideas into tangible, visual models by encouraging participants to build with LEGO® bricks. It’s not just “play” for the sake of fun—it’s a scientifically-backed process that engages both the hands and brain to foster deeper insights that standard workplace tools often overlook. Imagine a meeting room filled with not just conversation, but hands-on, interactive storytelling. Now, imagine what that could do for innovation, team dynamics, and problem-solving.

How Does LEGO Serious Play Work?

The process starts with a challenge—a key concept or business problem that a team needs to address. Participants then build their individual LEGO® models in response to that challenge. These models aren’t just random creations; they act as metaphors for complex ideas. By building physical representations, people are able to communicate thoughts and emotions that they may struggle to put into words.

Each participant shares the story behind their model, creating a rich dialogue based on shared understanding and individual perspectives. The amazing part? These LEGO® models serve as “containers of meaning”—they hold ideas, spark discussion, and encourage teams to explore new angles. This visual and hands-on approach ensures everyone has a voice, especially those who may be hesitant to contribute in traditional brainstorming settings.

Why LEGO® Serious Play® Works 

  • The Power of Metaphors 🎭 

 Metaphors are central to communication, helping individuals express complex and nuanced ideas in ways that others can easily relate to. By turning ideas into LEGO® structures, metaphors become visual and accessible, ensuring shared understanding across the team. Instead of a simple word or bullet point, the metaphor becomes something participants can touch, describe, and adapt as discussions evolve.

  • Cognitive Engagement 🧠 

 Science tells us that working with our hands—whether it’s building or crafting—activates cognitive processes that go beyond verbal reasoning. This hand-brain connection unlocks subconscious thoughts and creative energy, fostering problem-solving that feels fresh and innovative. It’s no coincidence that people remember concepts more vividly when they’re physically engaged in a task.

  • A Safe Space 🌈 

 Creativity happens when people feel safe to share their ideas without fear of judgment. LSP accomplishes this by creating an environment of openness and playfulness. The focus shifts from individuals to their models, which levels the playing field and helps remove personal biases. This psychological safety encourages teams to explore differences of opinion constructively and collaboratively.

Applications Across Industries 

From tech startups rewriting their product strategies to nonprofit organizations brainstorming sustainable solutions, LSP has applications in a variety of contexts. It’s a particularly powerful tool for leadership development, strategic planning, team building, and navigating organizational change. 

For example, consider a team tackling questions like:

  • “What does success look like for our future goals?” 
  • “How do we create a culture of innovation in the workplace?” 

Instead of listing answers in a document, team members build symbolic models that illustrate their ideas. A bridge might represent collaboration, while a tower could symbolize reaching a long-term goal. These visual metaphors not only open up the conversation but also reveal connections between ideas that were previously unexplored.

Cultivating Lasting Impact 

The real magic of LSP is in the mindset it fosters—creativity doesn’t end when the last brick is placed. Teams often find that the process incites new habits of thinking, like looking for symbolic meaning in everyday problems or brainstorming solutions in more hands-on, visual ways. It’s an approach that leaves participants with more than just answers—it leaves them with tools for continuing innovation and communication.

What Metaphors Have Shaped Your Thinking? 

Everyone has a metaphor that sticks with them—a symbol for success, collaboration, or even personal growth. What’s yours? When we incorporate metaphors into our thinking, whether through hands-on tools like LSP our own creative processes, we unlock new layers of meaning and understanding. 

Next time you’re brainstorming or tackling a complex problem, consider the power of creativity, metaphors, and physical engagement to push your ideas forward. LSP isn’t just about solving problems—it’s about unlocking the full potential of your brain and your team. 

References:

[1] https://seriousplaypro.com/2014/08/21/lego-serious-play-storymaking-not-storytelling/

[2] https://onebrickatatime.ca/2018/11/27/the-power-of-metaphor-and-the-brick-how-lego-can-transform-student-learning-cross-curricularly/

[3] https://www.warc.com/newsandopinion/opinion/it-is-all-play--exploring-the-power-of-lego-serious-play/en-gb/2061

[4] https://inthrface.com/en/lego-serious-play/method-theory/

[5] https://inthrface.com/en/lego-serious-play/examples-of-lego-serious-play/

[6] https://seriousplaypro.com/2016/11/03/lego-serious-play-methodology-sustainability-and-business-a-threesome-to-dance-together/

[7] https://www.ijmar.org/v5n4/18-013.html

[8] https://blogs.sussex.ac.uk/business-school-teaching/2019/03/26/my-experience-using-lego-serious-play-to-teach-human-resources-organisational-behaviour/

[9] https://shura.shu.ac.uk/34122/3/Furness-LegoSeriousPlay(AM).pdf

[10] https://static1.squarespace.com/static/5ae6f911fcf7fd2d8747126a/t/5b965280758d46c1237bff55/1536578177493/The+Science+Behind+the+LEGO+SERIOUS+PLAY+Method.pdf

[11] https://www.bu.edu/disability/files/2023/04/Exploring-Positive-Psychology-with-Lego-Serious-Play.pdf

[12] https://truehorizoncoaching.com/2022/10/04/what-i-learned-running-a-lego-serious-play-workshop/

[13] https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1108/jwam-03-2020-0011/full/html

[14] https://www.designorate.com/using-lego-serious-play-as-a-design-thinking-tool/