In this episode, I speak with Brandon Wetzstein, an expert facilitator who harnesses the power of play, particularly LEGO Serious Play, to foster creativity, innovation, and deeper human connections in teams. Through engaging stories, insightful reflections, and practical tips, Brandon demonstrates that adults are indeed just giant kids, and integrating play into professional environments can profoundly transform engagement, collaboration, and productivity.
Key Takeaways:
📍 Play Ignites Joy and Creativity
Adults instinctively reconnect with joy when given opportunities to play.
Play is fundamental to human experience, naturally sparking creativity and imagination.
📍 LEGO Serious Play as a Transformative Tool
Originally developed by LEGO in the 1990s to stimulate innovation within organizations.
Enables participants to communicate complex ideas and feelings through building LEGO models, leveraging storytelling and metaphor.
Encourages equitable participation from introverts and extroverts alike.
Physical manipulation of LEGO activates deeper cognitive and neural networks, enhancing creativity and ideation.
📍 Overcoming Cynicism and Building Connections
Play techniques help break down hierarchical and interpersonal barriers in teams.
Facilitating playful exercises can dramatically shift a group's dynamics, overcoming initial resistance or cynicism and creating deeper connections.
Games and playful methodologies foster an environment that reduces fear and encourages vulnerability, openness, and collaboration.
📍 Practical Applications of Play in Facilitation
Suitable for diverse settings, including strategic planning, innovation sessions, team building, and agile training.
Games inspired by improv comedy are particularly effective in helping teams adopt a positive, "yes and" mentality.
Virtual adaptations are possible, though some physical aspects of play remain irreplaceable.
📍 Importance of Analogue Experiences
Despite technological advancements, analogue tools like LEGO provide unique psychological and emotional engagement.
Human connection, collaboration, and authentic team dynamics become increasingly critical in an AI-driven world, making playful analogue methods essential for future-proofing teams.
📍 Superpowers to Abolish in Workplaces
Brandon highlights two critical impediments: anger and fear, both of which hinder openness, creativity, and genuine team connections.
By using playful methods, facilitators can effectively mitigate these negative emotions, fostering healthier and more productive work environments.
Guest: Brandon Wetzstein
Founder and Chief Play Officer (IN8 Create)
Brandon is driven by a passion to reshape the way we collaborate. In a world brimming with digital tools and automation, he's convinced that our real strength lies in how well we work together. With this belief, he founded IN8 Create, aiming to unearth the hidden potential in all of us. Given the right tools, environment, and support, Brandon believes we can reach incredible heights, enriching our lives, relationships, and communities.
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