I participated in a training for trainers for LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY®(LSP). The LSP is a facilitation method to improve group communication, in which participants build respective works with specialized LEGO bricks.
Communication is generally established with language or texts. For example, in meetings we exchange opinions through discussions, or sometimes with the help of a whiteboard, sticky notes, or a flipchart. In such situation, I often felt slight uneasiness, ambiguously though, as the discussion was seemingly superficial.
When I participated in a workshop of the LSP, I felt something different: unexpected insights were found, and their vivid impressions remained in my memory when we build LEGO bricks and reflect our thoughts to the work. I was fascinated by the method and decided to join the training for trainers.
As a result, my image of non-verbal state of mind has changed.
Before the training, that image was very vague. I thought there was few ways to understand the non-verbal area. Therefore, the image of the area was like a surface of pond filled with black water: it looked interesting though, it was so mysterious that I did not know where I should begin with.
After the training, the image has changed dramatically. I could come near the surface of pond, then I noticed the surface was filled with particles of sand, mud, and fragments of plants.
When I touched the surface, a feeling of water was transmitted. I also found something could be extracted from it, although good extraction will need more experiences.
People understand more than they speak. However, most of non-verbal are of human mind cannot be articulated with language. With the LSP, it is possible for participants to access such areas and verbalize the images. A couple of features of the LSP were found. Firstly, use of hands makes the access easy, which is easily experienced when we build a work with the specialized LEGO bricks. Secondly, this process is done with other participants. When we communicate with other participants through the works, we can come across unexpected findings.
Although access to unusual area of our mind is tiresome as if we do an unusual exercise with the use of unusual muscles, available deep insights is well deserved.
The specialized LEGO bricks and the LSP method help the process. Unlike drawings or sculptures, the bricks are easy to build. Furthermore, after building works, we can modify or connect them one another. More interesting is that the process is accomplished collaboratively, at least two participants. That helps strengthen the team: we understand each other and look forward.
The training enlightened me more than I expected. ■