Exploring positive psychology with LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY®

How to use LEGO in a group to better understand each other?

Duration:  1 day
Participants:  4 to 10 people
Materials:  A LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® starter kit or an exploration bag participant, as well as a kit Identity and Landscape for the group.

Session Objective

This session is designed to help individuals and the group better understand what makes them stronger, at their best, and how these strengths can be encouraged in each other.
It is also an excellent introduction to the strengths of character of the VIA model.

Expected results

We can expect an increased level of awareness within the group, and in particular:

• a better understanding of what motivates each member of the team;
• a greater ability to support each other by drawing on the strengths of each person.

The scientific bases of the step-by-step guide

The guide "Strong Strengths LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY®" is based on research in the psychology of strengths, and more specifically on character strengths.

Character strengths correspond to the positive aspects of our personality. They influence the way we think, feel and act, and are the keys to our full potential. When they are mobilized in the right way, they benefit both the individual, the groups to which he or she belongs and society as a whole.

Character strengths are distinguished from other forms of strengths (skills, talents, centers of interest or resources), because they reflect what you are deeply: your essential identity.

Numerous scientific studies today show the positive impact of knowing, understanding and using your strengths. character. Whether it is a child who draws on their strengths to learn or an adult who mobilizes them in their work, this approach promotes:

• greater self-determination,
• strengthened resilience,
• increased confidence in one's ability to succeed.

This step-by-step guide can be used in addition to the VIA character strengths model, Gallup’s StrengthsFinder tool, CAPP’s R2 approach, or other similar frameworks. It can also be used independently, without link to a specific methodology.

Facilitation guide

1. Prepare and organize materials before the workshop.

2. Briefly explain the objective of the session and provide the level of explanation about the strengths that seems most relevant to you depending on the context. The following points are essential:

a. Here, strengths do not only refer to what we do well, but above all to what engages us and drives us.
b. We will explore the use of strengths in a specific area: private life, work, studies or any other context relevant to the group.
c. The session will allow everyone to better understand their own strengths as well as those of other members of the group.
d. Insist on the idea that strengths are the characteristics that are expressed when we are “in our element”.

3. Perform the LEGO SERIOUS PLAY warm-up exercise if participants are new to this method.

Total time : approximately 1 hour 15

4. Being in your element

The first building exercise aims to get participants to think about themselves when using their strengths.

Instructions: Your task is to build a model that allows you to answer the question:
“When am I in my element at work?” »

Duration : 20 minutes.

5. Each participant then presents their model. Use LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® Exploration Questions (LSP EQ) to explore the stories further.

Total time : approximately 2 hours 15 minutes (including break)

6. VIA Character Strengths

Distribute a description of VIA Character Strengths. You can create your own support or use this one:
http://www.viacharacter.org/www/Portals/0/Graphic2014.pdf

7. Briefly present the VIA character strengths model, adapting the time devoted to the introduction to the relevant audience.

Total time : approximately 2 hours 30

8. Identify the strengths

Form pairs and ask participants to identify the character strengths present in their models.

Possible formulation : “In groups of two, I suggest you identify between 2 and 5 character strengths present in the model. Looking at others often helps you see your own strengths better. Write down the strengths identified on the document and be prepared to share them. Spend 2 × 5 minutes on each pattern. »

9. Each participant then presents the identified strengths by showing the elements of the model that correspond to them.

Total cumulative time : approximately 3 hours

10. Zoom in on a force

The following exercise consists of “zooming in” on a force, like on a Google map, in order to explore its details.

Instructions: Choose the force that you have identified and which arouses your curiosity the most.
Build a model that allows you to answer the question: “How do I understand this force?” »

Duration : 15 minutes.

11. Each participant presents their model, accompanied by LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® exploration questions.

Total time : approximately 3 hours 45

12. Seeing the strengths in others

This exercise focuses on recognizing the strengths in others. Each participant builds a character strength that they particularly appreciate in another person.

Instructions: Identify, build and share a strength (or a combination of two strengths) that you observe in the person sitting to your left.

Take a few minutes to go through the list of 24 character strengths and choose the one(s) that you appreciate most in that person. person.

Then build a small model answering the question: “How do I understand this force (or these forces)? »

Duration : 10 minutes.

13. Participants present their model to the person concerned, explain why they appreciate this strength, then give the model to them. Then ask the person how they experienced hearing this feedback.

Total time : approximately 4:30 hours

14. Connecting forces

Forces never act in isolation. They work in combination, and understanding these interactions allows you to better understand yourself and others.

Directions: Explore how the strength you zoomed in on and the strength you have been assigned combine. Use the connection blocks provided (present them and give some examples). 

Connect the two models and prepare to answer the question: “How do these two forces work together? »

Duration : 5 to 10 minutes.

15. Each participant then shares their connections.

Total time : approximately 5 hours

16. Final construction exercise:

Instructions: Build a model that allows you to answer the question:
“What can you do – or what can someone else do – to make this force play a more important role in the situation we are focusing on?” »

Duration : 10 minutes.

17. Collective sharing of models and courses of action.

Reflection and implementation

Total time : approximately 5:30 hrs

18. Allow at least 30 minutes to collect the learnings, awarenesses and key points of the session.
The following questions can serve as support:

• What have you learned about yourself today?
• What have you learned about others?
• What are your three main lessons?
• What will you do tomorrow to make more room for your strengths in your life?
• How can you help others rely more on their strengths?

19. Make sure that all the models have been photographed, if the participants do not keep them.

And here is how to build a creative workshop around LEGO using the LEGO serious play method.

You have any questions, do not hesitate to contact us (we can be reached Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. on 01.39.29.50.60.