Strategic Play: with LEGO(R) SERIOUS PLAY(R) methods

The stories in this book span the globe, providing the reader with a unique snapshot of our experiences applying LEGO(R) SERIOUS PLAY(R) (LSP) methods. The book starts in Denmark with an introduction of how the LEGO SERIOUS PLAY methodology was developed and received at the LEGO Systems Group, where it was in fact an intrapreneurial start-up. Then moving through countries, in alphabetical order, the book takes us to Africa. Facilitators are placing LEGO SERIOUS PLAY into the hands of young entrepreneurs who are making use of the method to combat the country's lack of resources. In Brazil, we see how people are using LEGO SERIOUS PLAY to build relationships, which is an important foundation of doing business in this creative culture. Taking a deep dive into the Great White North we explore Canada where we learn how LSP has been valuable in building confidence for decision-making. In China, the book explores the power of the LEGO(R) brand while considering the challenges in a culture where the teacher is usually the person who has all the answers and play is only for children. Then we go to Germany with a case study highlighting how LEGO SERIOUS PLAY is a powerful way to address conflicts and present new ways of thinking. The next chapter is set in Mexico, where people like to talk a great deal in meetings, but they are less keen to listen to others or make decisions. From there we go to Panama. We explore LSP's introduction to the country and its amazing success in a surprising field: professional athletics. We then travel to Spain where the culture embraces creativity, but in a very traditional sense. LEGO SERIOUS PLAY has managed to break through tradition in the areas of education and technology. The last chapter explores the application of LEGO SERIOUS PLAY in the USA, where it is being successfully used to create psychological safety; in LSP, no one person is the expert and everyone has an equal voice in the process.

Jacqueline Lloyd Smith is the founder of Strategic Play Global. She has been a registered Art Therapist since 1991. In 2000, she earned an MA in Conflict Analysis and Management; and in 2006, she completed an MBA in Executive Management. She earned both degrees from Royal Roads University in Victoria, British Columbia, Canada. In November 2006, she received the Ted Wilson Memorial Award for Lifelong Learning from Royal Roads University. In 2007, she received the partner business growth award from the LEGO(R) Systems Group in Denmark. She has been a certified Canadian Management Consultant since 2009; also that year, she was appointed to the LEGO(R) SERIOUS PLAY(R) methods training board. She is a fellow with the Royal Society for the Arts after being nominated by her peers in 2010. Jacqueline has written and published a number of books for her series The Creative Facilitator's Guide.

Andrea Brittain completed her BA in English from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock in 2006 and then relocated to Northern Ontario. Soon after, she met Jacqueline Lloyd Smith, who was in the early days of growing Lloyd Smith Solutions, the earliest incarnation of Strategic Play Global. Andrea began volunteering her editing services with Lloyd Smith, and over the years went on to work in a variety of writing and editing-related positions. In 2020, she settled down permanently with Strategic Play Global as the organization's resident nerd.