From a 45 minute ice breaker for a team meeting to a two day shared team vision workshop, LEGO® connects the wisdom of higher level human-to-human communication processes and insights through powerful brain science. These become purposeful conversations and teams engaged in a participatory way. This seemingly simple play with LEGO® bricks has unexpected and positive consequences.

From Christal Earle, founder of Brave Soles…
Recently, Brave Soles had our first official team building workshop – in our tire production centre around a big table and sitting on benches. We also had a surprise visitor show up: Lego.

It was a pure joy to experience.

When Carol Vickers, our Team Culture coach, first suggested using Lego, I have to admit that I was hesitant. Looking back now, I realize that it was the perfect way to start a conversation with our team.

I had told our sole production team that we would be taking the afternoon off to do some learning. They were hesitant and smiled politely as I told them to keep an open mind. I had no idea that it wouldn’t just be them who would be impacted by what we did. In fact, I was amazed at what happened.

But first, to fully appreciate our experience, you have to be able to understand why we chose Lego.

The large majority of our tire production team comes from backgrounds that would be hard to imagine. From former child slaves to political refugees, our team has a very different life experience than many of us.

But the one thing we discovered that we have in common is the pull to nurture our imagination and relationships.When the Lego bags were emptied onto the large table, there was a stunned silence for about 2 seconds. But then, everyone erupted in raucous laughter, eagerly reaching for the bright, enticing little blocks, bobbles, and lego accessories. Faces were transformed into playful smiles as they dug into the mountain of Lego.

In fact, people even moved closer together, laughing with delight at what each other was creating as they relaxed into a state of comradery and connection.

As Carol guided us through a series of questions that we answered via our colourful creations, I had the opportunity to observe how each team member interacted with the invitation to invent with the Lego. I wanted to better understand what they connected with and why.

In a short amount of time, I learned a lot about our team and how they see the world. 

IT SIMPLY FELT GOOD TO REALIZE THAT WE ARE BUILDING SOMETHING TOGETHER.