When people first encounter LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® (LSP), one of the most common questions is: “Why these specific LEGO bricks? Can’t we just use any?” At first glance, a Serious Play kit looks like a random pile of parts. But it isn’t. Each brick is curated to encourage strategy development, unlock organizational identity, and support shared models that surface the mental maps of a team.
Summary: An LSP kit is a curated design, not a toy box. Every element is chosen for metaphorical and psychological impact.
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What’s in a Serious Play Kit?
The kit balances standard and specialty elements:
- Standard bricks – Provide the building blocks of clarity.
- Specialty pieces (wheels, doors, windows, ladders) – Spark metaphors about access, opportunity, and growth.
- Mini-figures and animals – Represent human dynamics, organizational culture, and instinctive behaviors.
- Abstract connectors – Useful for visualizing networks, systems, and complex adaptive systems.
- Metaphorical elements (flames, treasure chests, flowers) – Enable symbolic storytelling that links to values and risks.
Together, they provide the range needed for visual-spatial intelligence and creative facilitation techniques.
Why Specific LEGO Bricks Are Used
The method behind the bricks is rooted in constructivist learning and Flow theory. These curated selections ensure:
- Semantic diversity: Different shapes encourage multiple meanings.
- Equal participation: Every team member has physical materials to express ideas, creating psychological safety.
- Metaphorical triggers: Pieces act like projective techniques in psychology—they reveal hidden layers.
- Structured storytelling: Ladders, doors, and windows help map decision-making pathways.
The Kit as a Facilitation Engine
Facilitators don’t just hand out bricks—they combine them with proven methods:
- Round robin & sequential sharing: Ensuring every voice is heard.
- Gallery Walks: Reviewing each model to promote active listening.
- Mind maps & visual templates: Connecting bricks to strategy maps.
- Parking Lot & Voting features: Prioritizing insights for follow-up actions.
The Meaning of LSP Pieces
Each part has symbolic weight:
- Windows = transparency, openness.
- Doors = choice, transformation.
- Animals = instinct, hidden drivers.
- Flags & flames = ambition, urgency.
- Treasure chests = opportunity, resources.
Together they create shared models that capture both diversity and alignment.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: What is in a Serious Play kit?
A: A curated mix of standard, specialty, metaphorical, and connector pieces designed for strategic workshops.
Q: Why these bricks, not others?
A: Because they are designed to balance structure, metaphorical triggers, and inclusivity, just like structured toolkits in software or localization.
Q: How do these bricks improve strategy development?
A: They convert abstract concepts into tangible shared models and mental maps that teams can align around.