Hey there!
Have you ever put together a puzzle where each piece on its own is interesting, but the full picture takes your breath away? That’s exactly what happens in a LEGO SERIOUS PLAY workshop when we move from individual builds to a shared team model.
Let me take you inside a recent workshop moment…
Picture a conference table surrounded by team members, each with their own carefully constructed model representing their perspective on their business challenges. There’s energy in the room, but also some uncertainty. “How will my piece fit into the bigger picture?” I can see this question in their eyes.
This is where the magic begins.
As a facilitator, I love this moment – when I invite participants to bring their individual models together into a shared landscape. It’s like watching a story unfold in real time. A sales manager’s customer service hub naturally connects to the IT director’s infrastructure model. The marketing team’s brand vision finds its perfect spot next to operations’ efficiency framework.
But here’s where it gets really interesting: the connections.
In LEGO SERIOUS PLAY, we don’t just place models next to each other – we explicitly show how they interact using different types of connectors. Think about it like this:
– Rigid connectors might represent unchangeable dependencies (like regulatory requirements)
– Flexible connectors could show adaptable relationships (like customer preferences)
– Long connectors might indicate distant but important influences (consider satellite office/divisions in the company)
– Short connectors often represent immediate impacts (think of new product releases or pending layoffs)
The real “aha!” moments come when we start exploring how these connections work. Recently, a team discovered that what they thought was a minor market shift (represented by a flexible connector) actually caused their entire operational model to wobble when moved. This physical demonstration helped them realize they needed stronger risk management strategies.
Some fascinating patterns I’ve observed in shared model exercises:
– Teams often discover dependencies they hadn’t previously considered
– Hidden organizational strengths emerge when models are connected
– People naturally start problem-solving when they see how their piece affects the whole
– The physical nature of the model makes abstract impacts tangible
My favorite part? When someone says, “Oh! Now I understand why what happens in your department affects mine so much!” These moments of clarity are priceless.
Keep Building, and connecting, Jolynn
P.S. Think about your own work environment – what kind of connector would you use to represent your relationship with your closest collaborator? Rigid? Flexible? Long? Short? Hit reply and let me know!
Quick Tip Box: 🔍 Understanding Connectors
– Rigid = Fixed relationships/dependencies
– Flexible = Adaptable connections
– Long = Distant but important influences
– Short = Immediate impacts
– Multiple = Complex interdependencies