ARTICLE
WELLNESS
TEAM BUILDING
Trust is the foundation of effective teams, yet it's often the first casualty during organizational transitions and challenges. At Play Seriously Consulting, we've developed a unique approach that combines LEGO SERIOUS PLAY (LSP) with evidence-based trust-building principles to help teams rebuild and strengthen their connections.
The Science Behind Building Trust
The process of rebuilding trust in teams shares remarkable similarities with how secure relationships develop in other contexts. Drawing from attachment theory and person-centered approaches, we understand that trust flourishes in environments where team members feel both safe to express themselves and confident that their expressions will be received with respect and understanding.
LEGO SERIOUS PLAY provides a powerful medium for creating this psychological safety. The physical act of building serves as a buffer, allowing team members to express sensitive thoughts and feelings through metaphor rather than direct confrontation. This subtle yet profound shift helps bypass typical defensive reactions that often arise during challenging conversations.
From Theory to Practice
We witnessed this transformation during an organizational transition where team dynamics had become increasingly complex. The department was experiencing challenges in communication and collaboration, with trust eroding under the pressure of change. Through carefully structured LSP activities, we created a neutral space where team members could explore their relationships without triggering defensive responses.
Research supports this approach, with studies showing that "psychological safety positively affects work engagement, information sharing, and team learning" (Frazier et al., 2017). The process began with individual builds that represented personal aspirations for the team. This positive focus, grounded in person-centered principles of unconditional positive regard, helped establish an atmosphere where everyone felt valued.
The Power of Physical Metaphor
When teams struggle with trust, abstract discussions about "improving communication" or "being more open" often fall flat. LSP transforms these abstract concepts into tangible representations. As noted in academic research on LSP in organizational settings, "The use of metaphors through LEGO SERIOUS PLAY allows participants to express complex ideas and emotions that might be difficult to articulate through traditional verbal communication" (Peabody & Noyes, 2017).
The breakthrough often comes when team members realize they can express complex feelings and experiences through their models without the vulnerability of direct verbal expression. A tower with a solid foundation but transparent walls might represent a desire for both stability and openness. A bridge between separate structures could symbolize aspirations for better collaboration.
Creating Sustainable Change
The most powerful aspect of combining LSP with trust-building principles is its ability to create lasting change. By physically constructing new possibilities together, teams don't just talk about trust – they experience it in action. As Carl Rogers observed in his foundational work on creating conditions for growth: "The curious paradox is that when I accept myself just as I am, then I can change."
Working with diverse teams has shown us that trust isn't rebuilt through grand gestures, but through small, consistent actions that demonstrate reliability and respect. LSP provides a structured way to practice these interactions in a safe environment, allowing teams to develop new habits of communication and collaboration.
Moving Forward
True team transformation requires more than just understanding – it requires active engagement in creating new patterns of interaction. The combination of LSP's hands-on approach with proven trust-building principles offers teams a practical path forward. Through this work, we've seen teams move from guarded interactions to genuine collaboration, developing the psychological safety needed for high performance.
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Ready to rebuild trust within your team? Contact us to learn how our unique approach combining LEGO SERIOUS PLAY with evidence-based practices can help create the foundation for lasting team success.
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Sources and Further Reading
Edmondson, A. C. (2018). The Fearless Organization: Creating Psychological Safety in the Workplace for Learning, Innovation, and Growth. Wiley.
Frazier, M. L., Fainshmidt, S., Klinger, R. L., Pezeshkan, A., & Vracheva, V. (2017). Psychological Safety: A Meta‐Analytic Review and Extension. Personnel Psychology, 70(1), 113-165.
Peabody, M. A., & Noyes, S. (2017). Reflective boot camp: Adapting LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® in higher education. Reflective Practice, 18(2), 232-243.
