Unleashing Creativity and Problem-Solving with LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® 

In today’s fast-paced and complex business environment, companies are seeking innovative ways to encourage creativity, enhance communication and foster problem-solving skills. 

One such method that’s gaining global recognition is the LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® (LSP) methodology, a facilitated thinking, communication, and problem-solving technique for organizations, teams, and individuals. 

This method is not merely about playing with LEGO bricks but uses the power of “hand knowledge” to unlock different forms of understanding and points of view. 

Unpacking LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® 

The LSP methodology was developed by the LEGO Group. The LEGO Group has subsequently allowed anyone to use it under a creative commons license. 

This means that the LEGO Group does not sponsor, authorize, or endorse specific training programs, allowing a rich ecosystem of training providers to emerge, each bringing their unique insights and extensions to the LEGO Serious Play methodology. 

The LEGO Serious Play methodology works on the principle that hands-on, minds-on learning results in a deeper, more meaningful understanding of the world and its possibilities. 

It encourages participants to visualize and discuss abstract ideas through LEGO brick constructions, narratives, and metaphoric interpretations. By doing this, it creates a safe environment where everyone can contribute, fostering a shared understanding and reflection on the subject at hand. 

Becoming a Facilitator: The Journey 

For those interested in becoming LEGO Serious Play facilitators, there are numerous training providers offering a variety of programs. The training equips facilitators with the theoretical knowledge and practical skills necessary to guide participants through the LEGO Serious Play process, helping them harness their creative problem-solving skills. 

One such provider is Play4Business! 

There are so many factors that make us stand out for facilitation training: 

Here are just a few of them: 

• We offer an online, self-paced course. This means that you aren’t bound by attending a venue where you might incur travel or other costs. Study at your pace and in a way that suits your schedule. The training itself is interactive to ensure that you gain the skills you need to achieve the session purpose. 
• The facilitator training program offers 40 hours of learning, live Q&A sessions, practical guides, session plans, and access to a rich resource library. That is an unbelievable diverse set of tools and resources at your disposal to dip into whenever you need to. There is even a one on one coaching session to ensure that your questions are addressed in detail. 
• Our course also includes a certification process, giving facilitators the credibility they need to run their workshops. We believe that to gain certification, you need to prove that you can in fact design a workshop and facilitate to engage all participants and achieve an outcome. That is why we ask participants to send us a session outline and also a video to demonstrate that they are confident in facilitating the process. 

Our high-quality training of facilitators in the LEGO Serious Play method maintains the method’s integrity and quality. We ensure that you are fully equipped with the skills and knowledge that you need to create successful business performance outcomes for your clients and stakeholders. 

The Art and Science of Facilitation 

Once certified, an LSP facilitator or trainer can utilize this methodology in a variety of contexts. From team-building exercises to strategy development sessions, the applications are vast. 

A key part of the facilitator’s role is planning the workshops, designing the questions, and guiding the participants through the process. They must ensure positive energy in the room to achieve true transformation, setting up the sessions for success. 

The art of facilitation is a vital component in the LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® methodology.  

• This concept is not just about leading a group or managing a session. It’s about creating an environment where every participant feels valued, heard, and engaged.  
• The role of a facilitator is to guide and inspire, to help participants make connections, to stimulate their imagination, and to challenge their thinking without imposing their own ideas or solutions. 
• A skilled facilitator ensures that each participant has an equal voice and contribution, encouraging quieter members to share their insights while managing the more dominant ones. This balance is vital in a LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® session where the goal is to harness the collective intelligence and creativity of the group.  
• The facilitator helps participants navigate through the process, prompting, probing, and asking the right questions to inspire deeper reflections and richer stories. 

A critical aspect of facilitation in the LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® method is the use of metaphors. The LEGO bricks serve as a medium for metaphoric expression, making complex ideas tangible and accessible. The facilitator’s role here is to help participants build and share their models, to explore the metaphors they’ve used, and to draw out the meanings and insights embedded in their creations. 

Learning to be an effective facilitator in this context is more than just understanding the methodology; it’s about developing the right mindset and skills. 

The online training in applying the LEGO Serious Play method provided by Play4Business prepares you to take on this role effectively, providing detailed explanations and hands-on guides on how to design and facilitate sessions that achieve positive output by engaging every participant.  We achieve these learning outcomes with top quality learning materials. 

And there’s more: 

• You learn how to create positive energy in the room to achieve true transformation, and be coached along the way to implement the process in various contexts, such as change workshops, innovation forums, and agile Scrums. 
• The live Q and A with the highly experienced facilitation team provides an opportunity to learn from their expertise, and the tried and tested session plans serve as a stepping stone to confidently implement the methodology. 
• The training is designed to be hands-on and practical, with a focus on applying the learning in real-world settings.  
• The inclusion of the patented ‘What the Duck®’ methodology in the training provides an additional tool for facilitating shorter meetings, scrums, or team events. 
• Moreover, the training program values continuous learning and improvement. Once you become a certified facilitator / trainer, you will have 12 months of access to resources, including videos and downloadable templates, to deepen your understanding and refine your facilitation skills.  

This ongoing support ensures that you can keep enhancing your facilitation abilities and adapting to the needs of different groups and situations. 

The art of facilitation is a journey of learning and growth. It’s about honing your listening skills, developing your ability to ask powerful questions, and cultivating your capacity to hold space for others.  

It’s a journey that Play4Business is committed to supporting, providing you with the tools, resources, and community to become a confident and effective facilitator of the LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® methodology. 

What the Participants Say 

The impact of the LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® method on participants is profound. Many testify to the method’s effectiveness in unlocking creative thinking, enhancing communication, and driving real change. 

From organizational development professionals to Scrum Masters and socio-economic science PhDs, individuals across a spectrum of professions have found value in this methodology. 

They praise the structure, coherence, and hands-on nature of the process, often highlighting how it has equipped them to better facilitate sessions, meetings, and workshops. 

Final thoughts 

In conclusion, the LEGO SERIOUS PLAY method offers an innovative approach to problem-solving, communication, and decision-making in organizations.  

With the right training, facilitators can help teams unlock their creative potential, foster a culture of open communication, and drive meaningful change.  

As more organizations embrace the power of play in professional contexts, the demand for trained facilitators is likely to grow, making it an exciting field for those interested in organizational development, creativity, and change management. 

In the wise words of George Bernard Shaw, “We don’t stop playing because we grow old; we grow old because we stop playing.”  

It seems that in the realm of business, play might just be the key to staying ahead of the game.