I recently attended a great workshop called “Hard Fun With Lego Serious Play”. The very fast paced session (we had one hour to complete what I believe would normally take three) showcased how using Lego bricks in a structured task focused approach could help provide some truly amazing insights.
One off the main drivers for the Serious Play was that it managed to achieve 100% commitment from all of those involved in a business meeting. The analogy was that with Lego you use both sides of your brain (and your hands become the search engine).
The use of Serious Play overcame the “lean backwards” type meetings where attendees have only 10% (conscious mind ) on the meeting whilst the remaining 90% subconscious mind is busy involved in non work activities
Lego Serious Play Is Used By Big Companies
Lego serious play has been around for some time and has been utilised by many blue chip organisations to solve or resolve business issues. Companies such as Google, Virgin, NASA, Coke , Pfizer and Microsoft ave all used these plastic bricks to provide a different dimension to problem solving.
The simple but highly powerful fact that came out of Lego Serious Play was that we can build things that we might normally find difficult to describe
The original activities were individually focused and aimed to show that everyone was creative and could provide a positive and unique approach / feedback to a challenge. Importantly whilst we all had the same Lego component parts different people saw the components and structures that were constructed in completely different ways.
After building individually we then started to build shared models which illustrated fantastically
- that with Lego you could build things to communicate a message that would have been very difficult to draw
- through using the Lego blocks we got 100 % participation from the group members
- The activities actually provided greater insight
- From a simple challenge with Lego we got more ideas, more ownership and certainly did all of this in a fun way
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Fun and Engaging
Lego can be a fun and engaging tool to help facilitate business meetings and brainstorming sessions. Here are some ways that Lego can be used in a business context:
- Build models to represent ideas: Lego bricks can be used to create physical representations of ideas and concepts, allowing participants to visualize and discuss them in a concrete way.
- Use Lego Serious Play methodology: Lego Serious Play is a facilitation technique that uses Lego bricks to encourage creative thinking and problem-solving. Participants build models in response to prompts or questions, and then share their models and insights with the group.
- Encourage collaboration and communication: Working together to build something with Lego can help participants develop their communication and collaboration skills, which can be valuable in a business setting.
- Break the ice: Lego can be a great way to break the ice and get participants comfortable with one another, especially if they are meeting for the first time.
- Spark creativity: The tactile and visual nature of Lego can inspire creativity and help participants think outside the box.
Using Lego as a tool in business meetings can help participants engage with the content, promote collaboration and communication, and encourage creative thinking
Lego Serious Play FAQ’s
1. Can LEGO really help solve serious business problems in a manufacturing company?
Yes, when used correctly, LEGO-based business workshops can be surprisingly effective for tackling serious operational and strategic challenges. Approaches such as LEGO® Serious Play® are designed to help teams visualise complex problems, communicate ideas more clearly, and uncover issues that may not surface in traditional meetings. In a manufacturing SME, this could include challenges such as production bottlenecks, communication breakdowns between departments, process inefficiencies, customer journey issues, or future growth planning. Building physical models encourages people to think differently, making abstract problems more tangible and easier to discuss.
2. What types of manufacturing business problems can LEGO workshops help solve?
LEGO-based problem-solving can be useful across a wide range of manufacturing scenarios. Common applications include improving workflow processes, mapping production challenges, identifying inefficiencies in supply chains, exploring team communication issues, developing innovation ideas, and planning organisational growth. For example, a production manager struggling with repeated delays may use a workshop to visually map the process and identify hidden friction points. Because the method encourages contribution from everyone, it can often reveal practical insights from staff who work closest to the problem.
3. Is using LEGO in business just a gimmick?
This is a common concern, particularly in traditional B2B manufacturing environments where practical, results-driven decision-making is highly valued. However, the effectiveness comes not from the LEGO bricks themselves, but from the structured methodology behind the exercise. Many business problems persist because teams fall into predictable ways of thinking or because dominant voices control discussions. A hands-on, neutral activity can level the playing field, encourage broader participation, and stimulate more creative thinking. When facilitated properly, it becomes a strategic workshop tool rather than a novelty exercise.
4. Who in a manufacturing SME would benefit from a LEGO problem-solving session?
These workshops can benefit a wide cross-section of a manufacturing business. Leadership teams may use them for strategic planning, growth modelling, or culture development. Operations teams can explore production inefficiencies, workflow challenges, or quality issues. Sales and marketing teams may use them to better understand customer journeys, target markets, or positioning challenges. Cross-department workshops can be especially valuable because manufacturing issues often stem from disconnected teams rather than isolated technical problems. Bringing people together in a different format often creates more honest and productive conversations.
5. What are the business benefits of using LEGO for problem-solving?
The biggest benefit is improved clarity. Complex business challenges often involve multiple moving parts, assumptions, and communication barriers. Building models forces participants to simplify and explain their thinking visually, which often makes problems easier to understand and solve. Additional benefits can include better team collaboration, stronger engagement from quieter employees, faster idea generation, improved alignment between departments, and more innovative thinking. For manufacturing SMEs where efficiency, communication, and practical decision-making directly impact profitability, a well-run workshop can deliver meaningful operational and strategic value.
