For years, if not decades everyone has been talking about escalating complexity. It is hard to imagine that the world in 2024 will be any different. Consequently, organizations require innovative approaches to navigate challenges and seize opportunities. Few have found these, most are still looking.

Per and Kåre have been reflecting after an excellent Book Circle with Dave Snowden - and we would like to put forward that LEGO SERIOUS PLAY (LSP), the experiential process utilizing LEGO bricks for creative problem-solving, combined with Dave Snowden's insights on complexity, presents a pioneering strategy for enhancing business performance.

This blog delves into the synergy between LSP’s hands-on methodology and Snowden’s complexity theory to unlock new dimensions of organizational innovation.

LEGO SERIOUS PLAY: A Catalyst for Innovation

The LEGO SERIOUS PLAY method is more than just a playful exercise; it's a sophisticated strategy tool developed at LEGO in collaboration with business and organizational experts (Per was part of the team developing the method). Rooted in research from diverse fields like business, psychology, and education, LSP leverages hands-on learning to foster deep, meaningful insights. Participants use LEGO bricks to build metaphorical models, translating abstract ideas into tangible forms. This process not only brings unconscious knowledge to the surface but also encourages diverse viewpoints and collective problem-solving.

The method is grounded in the belief that solutions to complex issues lie within the system itself. By tapping into each individual's potential and understanding the dynamic, unpredictable nature of the world, LSP enables teams to construct innovative solutions organically. From strategy development to mergers and team building, LSP has proven effective in a variety of organizational contexts.

Understanding Complexity through Dave Snowden's Lens

Dave Snowden, a thought leader in complexity science, sheds light on how organizations can effectively navigate complex environments. His key principles include recognizing the 'entanglement' of elements in complex systems, where simple cause-and-effect logic is inadequate. Snowden argues for the importance of observing emergent patterns, emphasizing that decision-making in complex systems should be adaptive and responsive to evolving situations.

Snowden’s perspective challenges conventional management thinking, advocating for a shift from predictability and control to agility and understanding of emergent behaviors. This is particularly relevant in today’s fast-paced, interconnected world, where traditional approaches to problem-solving and decision-making often fall short.

Integrating Dave Snowden's Complexity Insights

Dave Snowden's approach to complexity in organizational environments complements LSP's methodology. His emphasis on understanding systems as entangled and interconnected resonates with LSP's hands-on model building, where complex relationships and emergent patterns become visible and discussable.

When Snowden advocates for adaptive decision-making in complex systems, this is mirrored in LSP's iterative building and storymaking process, as well as in the powerful process of Playing Emergence. As teams build models, they engage in a dialogue that reflects Snowden’s notion of distributed decision-making, where multiple perspectives converge to form a cohesive understanding of complex challenges.

Moreover, Snowden’s call for virtuous leadership aligns with LSP's inclusive and collaborative environment. As teams work together to build and share their models, they practice empathy, fairness, and ethical judgment, essential virtues in Snowden's framework.

Practical Application in Business Settings

When applied to real-world business scenarios, the combined approach of LSP and Snowden’s complexity theory offers a robust framework for strategy development, team alignment, and innovation. For instance, in strategy development, LSP can help visualize future scenarios and market dynamics, while Snowden’s insights ensure that these models consider the complex, interconnected nature of business ecosystems.

In team-building exercises, the combined approach fosters a deeper understanding among team members, helping them to see the organization as a complex, adaptive system. This enhances communication, promotes creativity, and ensures that every voice is heard, in line with Snowden’s principles of distributed leadership.

Conclusion

The integration of LEGO SERIOUS PLAY with Dave Snowden's complexity theory offers a groundbreaking shift in organizational strategy and problem-solving. This approach transcends traditional methods, offering a more dynamic, inclusive, and effective way to navigate today’s complex business challenges. By combining theoretical depth with practical, interactive exploration, organizations can unlock new ways of thinking, foster innovation, and drive success in an ever-changing business landscape.