The Trusted Leadership Podcast Episode 20

With LEGO Serious Play Facilitator Brandon Wetzstein

Podbean: https://evolutionofinnovation.podbean.com/e/episode-20-with-lego-serious-play-facilitator-brandon-wetzstein/

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5RYs0LvPbuTSklumUZbwLx?si=zcz2BrVuTiGiJgKnvMjhCw

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/episode-20-with-lego-serious-play-facilitator-brandon/id1487348688?i=1000601649719

Building Trust Through Play: My Conversation on the Trusted Leadership Podcast

I recently had the pleasure of joining the host of the Trusted Leadership Podcast for an insightful conversation about how play can transform organizational culture. We explored the fascinating intersection of trust, leadership, and structured play methodologies.

The Trust-Play Connection

During our conversation, we discussed how traditional trust-building exercises often fall short because they operate only on an intellectual level. When team members engage with LEGO Serious Play, something fundamentally different happens - they begin communicating through metaphor and storytelling rather than just words.

I shared examples of how this approach creates a psychological safety shortcut. When someone builds a model representing their experience or perspective, it externalizes their thinking. Team members aren't directly critiquing each other, but rather exploring the models in front of them. This subtle shift removes defensive barriers and allows for more authentic communication.

Leadership Through Metaphor

One of the most powerful segments of our discussion focused on how leaders can use metaphorical thinking to navigate difficult conversations. I explained how having a physical representation of team dynamics or organizational challenges provides a shared language that transcends typical workplace communication barriers.

The podcast host was particularly interested in how this approach helps address power dynamics within teams. We discussed how the LEGO Serious Play methodology naturally flattens hierarchies - when everyone is building, everyone's model (and by extension, their perspective) has equal validity in the conversation.

From Theory to Practice

What made this conversation particularly valuable was moving beyond theoretical concepts to practical applications. I shared specific examples of transformation I've witnessed when teams shift from traditional meeting formats to structured play environments.

We explored how leaders can implement small elements of this approach even without formal training - encouraging metaphorical thinking, creating space for storytelling, and embracing the vulnerability that comes with creative expression.

The Ripple Effect

Perhaps most importantly, our conversation highlighted how trust built through these methods doesn't stay contained in workshop environments. When teams experience psychological safety through structured play, they develop communication patterns and connection habits that extend into their everyday work interactions.

The podcast provided a wonderful platform to share how something as seemingly simple as LEGO bricks can create profound shifts in how teams communicate, collaborate, and ultimately trust one another.

If you're interested in listening to the full conversation, you can find the Trusted Leadership Podcast on all major podcast platforms. And if you'd like to explore how these methodologies might benefit your own team or organization, I'd be happy to continue the conversation

This post is part of my speaking series. For more information about booking me for your event or workshop, visit my speaking page.