LSP is a methodology developed by the LEGO Company to facilitate meetings and problem solving using LEGO bricks. Participants construct models to represent ideas and concepts, using the bricks as metaphors to more easily discuss characteristics. This allows for more participation from all members compared to traditional meetings where a minority dominates discussion. LSP incorporates constructionism, metaphors, storytelling and play to unleash creativity and new ways of thinking. It is effective for complex challenges or strategic planning where there are no clear answers.

1. LEGO®
SERIOUS
PLAY®
INTRODUCTION
In many gatherings most of
the talking (80%) is done by a
minority of participants (20%).
Participants with good ideas
often do not speak, for whatever
reason. However “The solution
is in the room”, a basic principle
of the LEGO®
Serious Play®
(LSP)
methodology. As all participants
are involved when using this
methodology, most if not all
ideas are addressed.
BACKGROUND
LSP has been developed by
the LEGO Company, initially
to respond to a significant
challenge LEGO was facing
in the mid 90s. Video-games
were entering the market,
impacting the LEGO Company.
LSP was developed as a tool
to define a new strategy by
using imagination, being the
core business of the LEGO
Company..

2. Questions or interested in a live demo?
Send an e-mail to info@kensho.eu
Greet Maeyaert is a trained LEGO®
Serious
Play®
Facilitator.
WHAT IS LSP?
LSP is used to facilitate meetings, communication,
problem solving, etc.
Four elements are key in this method:
1. constructionism,
2. metaphors,
3. storytelling and
4. play.
I CONSTRUCTIONISM
Basically, the methodology is to build models with
LEGO®
bricks. As our hands are connected to 80%
of our brain cells, constructing models with our
fingers unleashes creativity, modes of thought
and ways of seeing things that may never been
tapped otherwise.
I METAPHORS
A metaphor is a figure of speech that gives a
deeper meaning to our surface understanding of
reality. E.g. by building an idea with LEGO®
bricks
it is much easier to discuss the characteristics
of the idea by visualizing it in 3D than during a
standard meeting using 2D materials.
I STORYTELLING
In any culture stories have always been shared
as a means of entertainment, education, cultural
preservation and instilling moral values. During a
workshop facilitated with LSP, participants share
their story with the other participants based on
the built models.
I PLAY
As adults we are no longer used to play.
Moreover, most people see play as the opposite
of work. However studies show that play is
essential to develop social and problem solving
skills. Therefore play is all over the LEGO®
Serious
Play®
methodology. It does not only bring fun into
the workshop but it also enables to achieve the
purpose of the workshop.
WHEN TO USE LSP?
LSP can be used to tackle any business
challenge, from mergers and acquisitions,
over reorganizations, team and leadership
development, to strategy development, etc.
The methodology works at its best when two
conditions are met:
1. the challenge is complex: there is no obvious
solution or right answer,
2. the manager is courageous: (s)he admits not
knowing all the answers and is ready to hear
out all his/her employees.
WHY USE LSP?
The method draws on extensive academic
research from the fields of business, organization
development, psychology and learning.
It is all about creating new knowledge to solve
problems, about surfacing and clarifying insights.
It is an efficient way of decision making as
within a very short period of time a group of
heterogeneous people have a clear shared
direction.
I REFERENCES
LSP is used worldwide. The best reference is how
the LEGO Company turned their strategy into
a success story based on their own developed
methodology.
kenshō
kasteelstraat 22, b-9550 herzele
+32 475 87 19 10 I www.kensho.eu I info@kensho.eu
“Play is our natural
way of adapting and
developing new skills.”
Brown Stuart