LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY®

What is LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® (LSP)?

LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® (LSP) began as an experiential process designed for use in guided workshops with adults to prompt dialogue and encourage reflection, as well as develop problem-solving skills and use of the imagination. However, LSP has evolved to include building critical thinking skills in children from the ages of 6. The LSP workshops are facilitated by certified trainers to enhance different skills, address specific topics and enhance reflection and dialogue. This innovative approach to interaction is a valuable asset in business as well as education and helps participants open up through the approachable medium of play. Through our engagement on campus, we have seen that this method of facilitation encourages creative thinking, problem-solving, communication, innovation, building confidence and mutual understanding through a kinaesthetic learning style.

 

What happens in a LSP workshop?

During the workshop, participants are invited to build symbolic/metaphorical models of their insights using the LEGO® bricks. Participants are encouraged to communicate their models in the group through storytelling, ensuring 100% participation. Rules are set out at the start of the workshop that include respect, listening, the theme of what is to be addressed and why we are doing the exercise.

The method is used to address a wide range of challenges in a team and/or personal settings where building towards a goal can be difficult. The goals of the workshop can take on many forms, e.g., team building, strategy creation and execution, idea generation, understandings and culture. LSP creates a deeper and more meaningful plan of the work to be achieved so everyone understands the shared goal.

In the thematic workshops, there are 5 Core Steps that the LSP facilitator will guide participants in when reaching the goal.

  • Core Step 1: Posing a question or “challenge”. This is introducing a question to build upon a topic or theme to be ultimately examined.
  • Core Step 2: Building a personal model - The available bricks are designed to inspire the use of metaphors and story making.
  • Core Step 3: Sharing the model - Everyone is invited to share their model “storytelling” with the other participants. This ensures 100% participation.
  • Core Step 4: Reflecting on the model - participants and the facilitator are given the opportunity to ask questions on the model. Mutual understanding, respect, communication and support increases.
  • Core Step 5: The elements of the workshop which the group have created are brought together.

 

 

What are the benefits of LSP?

There are many benefits to the LSP method including:

  • Bringing fun to serious business;
  • Supports areas of learning and development through a tactile method;
  • The attention and participation of everyone is necessary to reach mutual goals through 100% engagement;
  • Build upon existing skills and learn new ones;
  • Enhances retention and increases mutual understanding;
  • Encourages communicating, problem solving and innovating;
  • Participants grow in confidence, knowledge and comprehension;
  • Build better and more diverse learning experiences.

 

LSP in MTU

In 2023, with funding from MTU’s School of Business, Rebecca Robinson, Researcher with Hincks, completed the LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® training to become a Certified LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® Facilitator, trained in accordance to the Guidelines of the Association of Master Trainers. Rebecca delivers customised applications of the LSP methodology in workshop and classroom settings at MTU and has led sessions for the MTU Student Enterprise Camp, MTU Staff and international visitors. Thanks also to funding from AnSEO - the Student Engagement Office at MTU, Rebecca has also aided lecturers in MTU to communicate greater understanding of certain topics in the classroom.

 

LSP Activities

Keep up to date with our LSP activities! Below are links to the LSP articles as seen in the News section of our website.

  • LEGO® Online! Rebecca Robinson Presents to CPEER. 16 October, 2023.
  • LEGO® and BIP - Serious Play Workshop for Blended Intensive Programme Participants. 11 April, 2024.
  • LEGO® & TLU - Exploring the Impacts & Challenges of AI. 17 June, 2024.

 

 

If you would like to discuss LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® further and how it can be of benefit to you, your team or students/class, please contact:

Rebecca.Robinson@mtu.ie

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