The Trending Communicator Ep 68
Life and Work Lessons from a LEGO Duck with Brandon Wetzstein
Spotify Podcasts: https://open.spotify.com/episode/4zuCTWTz3pIwCDGUC1Zd1j?si=pwAP2a4GRbqT4njtyA9l3A
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/life-and-work-lessons-from-a-lego-duck/id1516944680?i=1000540789768
https://www.trendingcommunicator.com/068-life-and-work-lessons-from-a-lego-duck-with-brandon-wetzstein/
Episode Description
In this episode, Dan sits down with communication strategist, creativity and innovation specialist, organizational development trainer, and professional metaphor constructor, Brandon Wetzstein. As founder and Principal of IN8 Create, Brandon brings the magic of LEGO bricks to teams and individuals to help them be better leaders and listeners. He and Dan dig into LEGO Serious Play, design thinking, and the power of visual metaphors - constructed with LEGO bricks, of course - to unblock and unlock potential.
When Dan from The Trending Communicator invited me to discuss how LEGO bricks can transform team communication, I jumped at the opportunity. As someone who's spent years watching the magic that happens when adults reconnect with their innate creativity through structured play, I was eager to share these insights with his audience.
During our conversation, we explored how LEGO Serious Play methodology creates a unique environment where team members can externalize their thinking in three dimensions. Unlike traditional meetings where ideas remain trapped in our heads or flattened onto whiteboards, building physical models allows teams to literally see challenges and opportunities from multiple angles.
What makes this approach so powerful is how it bypasses our usual communication barriers. When someone explains their model, others listen differently - with genuine curiosity rather than waiting for their turn to speak. The physical models become conversation pieces that hold metaphorical meaning, allowing teams to discuss complex topics that might otherwise remain unexplored.
We also discussed how organizations are using this methodology to tackle everything from strategic planning to team development. The process creates psychological safety where even the quietest voices contribute equally, resulting in more innovative solutions and stronger team bonds.
The most rewarding part of this work is witnessing those "aha" moments when teams discover insights they couldn't access through conventional methods. Whether it's revealing hidden assumptions, uncovering misalignments, or simply creating deeper connections between team members, these structured play sessions consistently deliver breakthrough results.
If you're interested in exploring how LEGO Serious Play might transform your team's communication, I'd love to continue the conversation. In the meantime, check out the full podcast episode to learn more about unlocking creativity through the power of metaphor and hands-on building.
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