Building Business Capability - 2024 Orlando FL
International Institute of Business Analysis (IIBA)
You received the following rating out of 5 for your session: 4.82
“This was fantastic. Can't wait to apply it at work!”
“Brandon was a very engaged speaker and clearly cared about the subject he was discussing. I hope to implement some of the ideas he mentioned!”
“Enthusiastic”
“Very detailed and engaging”
“Presenter was very passionate and it was inspiring me to want to learn the Lego method in more detail”
Last year, I had the privilege of presenting to a packed room of nearly 80 attendees at the IIBA Conference in Orlando. My session, "Building Business Continuity Through Play," took participants on a journey from understanding the fundamental nature of play to experiencing its practical application through LEGO Serious Play methodology.
The Power of Play in Professional Settings
We began by exploring what play actually is—not just an activity for children, but a vital cognitive and social process that remains crucial throughout our lives. Drawing from research by Dr. Stuart Brown, we discussed how play is far more than just "having fun"—it's a state of mind that enables innovation, collaboration, and problem-solving.
The session examined Brown's attributes of play, highlighting how seemingly purposeless activities often lead to our most creative solutions. When we're in a play state, we become fully engaged, lose track of time, and find ourselves operating with decreased self-consciousness and increased potential for breakthrough thinking.
Breaking Mental Barriers Through Structured Play
One of the most revealing exercises demonstrated how the constraints we place on our own thinking often limit our creative potential. In a rapid brainstorming session, participants first approached a problem with their typical mindset. Then, after introducing elements of playfulness and removing self-imposed rules, the same groups generated significantly more ideas in the same amount of time.
This simple demonstration illustrated a powerful truth: when we approach challenges with playfulness, we access more of our creative capacity. The energy in the room shifted noticeably as participants experienced this firsthand.
The Archetypal Nature of How We Play
We explored Dr. Brown's play archetypes, helping attendees identify their natural play preferences—whether they're collectors, competitors, creators, explorers, jesters, kinesthetics, narrators, or directors. Understanding these play styles provided insight into how different team members might approach collaborative work and creative problem-solving.
LEGO Serious Play in Action
The highlight of the session was introducing LEGO Serious Play methodology. I shared its history as a decision-making and strategic planning tool developed by the LEGO Group and Executive Discovery, explaining how it has evolved into a powerful facilitation method used by organizations worldwide.
To demonstrate the method's effectiveness, I invited three volunteers to participate in the classic LEGO duck exercise. Each participant built their interpretation of a duck using the same six LEGO pieces. The results were fascinating—three completely different models, each with its own unique story and perspective.
This simple exercise showcased the method's true power: the ability to make thinking visible through metaphor. As each participant explained their model, the audience witnessed how physical construction externalized internal concepts, creating richer understanding and communication.
The Impact
The feedback was overwhelmingly positive. Participants commented on how the session changed their perception of play from a frivolous activity to a strategic tool for business continuity planning. Many noted they would be implementing elements of playful thinking in their next team meetings.
What made this session particularly impactful was that attendees didn't just learn about play theory—they experienced its transformative potential firsthand. By the end of our time together, business analysts who walked in with professional reserve were actively engaged in collaborative building and metaphorical storytelling.
Moving Forward
Play isn't just about making work more enjoyable (though it certainly does that). It's about accessing deeper levels of creativity, communication, and collaboration—essential elements for any organization focused on business continuity and adaptability.
If you're interested in bringing this approach to your team or organization, reach out to learn more about how LEGO Serious Play methodology can transform your team dynamics and problem-solving capabilities.
This post is part of my speaking series. For more information about booking me for your event or workshop, visit my speaking page.
