Why Traditional Meetings Don't Reveal What Your Team Really Thinks
And Why That's Costing You More Than You Think
Case Study: Digital marketing agency discovers breakthrough communication method after structural changes
When Oomph Inc. needed honest feedback about their recent organizational changes, they got results that most leaders only dream about:
The Results
100% of participants felt their perspective was heard and valued
100% agreed that building with LEGO® helped them express ideas they would have otherwise kept hidden
100% said insights arose that wouldn't have emerged in a standard meeting
100% reported better understanding their colleagues' perspectives after the session
Here's how they did it—and why traditional approaches weren't working.
The Challenge: Unearth the invisible friction from recent transformational changes.
Six months after implementing structural changes, digital marketing agency Oomph Inc. faced a critical question: Were their team members truly bought in, or just going through the motions? Something was off.
The challenge wasn't simply checking readiness boxes—it was creating an environment where team members would share what they actually thought and felt about the changes. How do you inspire the kind of candid dialogue that reveals both strengths and potential stress fractures in a newly-formed structure?
The Aha Moment: A Custom-Designed Solution by IN8 Create
Oomph partnered with IN8 Create, who custom-designed a workshop using LEGO® Serious Play® methodology. Drawing on years of experience, IN8 Create knew exactly how to take participants on an experiential journey that would reveal insights locked away from traditional discussions—all within a focused half day session.
The Workshop Flow:
Personal Foundation: Simple warm-up builds about career experiences established comfort and psychological safety
Individual Reflection: Each participant constructed models revealing their honest feelings about the changes and what they needed to thrive
Breakthrough Moment: Team members built representations of "one small change" that would significantly impact their work experience
Collaborative Vision : Teams created shared models connecting individual insights into collective understanding
Facilitated Integration: The business units combined their findings, identifying common themes while respecting differences, fostering barrier-free conversations
What Traditional Meetings Couldn't Surface
The power wasn't just in the process—it was in what emerged:
Hidden operational improvements: Leaders uncovered specific, actionable improvements that had been hiding in plain sight but would have remained buried without creating the right environment for sharing.
Breakthrough vulnerability: The workshop cultivated a space for honesty that transformed how team members related to each other. As one participant noted: "I thought the vulnerability required for the LEGO session was great... It's a foundational step to advocating for one's needs."
Lasting dialogue: The conversations didn't end when the bricks were packed away. The workshop equipped Oomph with both concrete ideas and strengthened connections to fuel their next stage of growth.
What Team Members Actually Said
"The Lego activation surprised me. I didn't expect to learn new things from team mates that way, but it was an open forum and open to much interpretation which was fun."
"While I love legos, I was skeptical that it would bring more value beyond some fun brick building. It blew me away how effective it was at surfacing insights and pain points."
"I really enjoyed the Lego workshop that allowed us to discuss challenges or concerns about our Business Unit or the company without feeling like we were isolated and had the freedom to express how we were feeling or bring up questions we had."
"The Lego activity was really helpful for getting conversation going! It gave a chance for everyone to be heard."
The Method Behind the Results
LEGO® Serious Play® works because it bypasses the usual filters of traditional meetings:
Hands engage brains differently: Building activates different neural pathways than talking
Metaphorical expression: Complex feelings become expressible through symbolic models
Equal participation: Everyone builds, everyone shares—no dominant voices
Safe vulnerability: The playful medium reduces the risk of sharing authentic thoughts
Visual processing: Abstract concepts become concrete and discussable
The Business Impact
The workshop transformed more than just communication—it created a foundation for Oomph's next growth phase:
Team members gained newfound appreciation for perspectives different from their own
Leaders identified specific operational improvements previously hidden from view
The organization developed a shared language for discussing complex changes
Trust and psychological safety increased across business units
As Jana Aubin, Director of Operations & Finance at Oomph, summarized: "The LEGO® workshop with IN8 Create was a fun, thoughtful way to open up about how we're feeling at work. It encouraged personal connection, sparked meaningful ongoing conversations, and ensured every voice was heard."
Why This Matters for Your Team
Most organizational changes create hidden tensions, unspoken concerns, and missed opportunities for improvement. Traditional feedback mechanisms—surveys, town halls, standard meetings—often fail to surface what team members are really thinking.
LEGO® Serious Play® methodology creates a unique environment where:
Reserved team members feel safe to contribute
Abstract concerns become concrete and addressable
Hidden insights transform into actionable improvements
Team understanding and connection strengthen organically
The question for leaders: How many valuable insights, concerns, and breakthrough ideas are trapped in your team members' minds because traditional communication methods don't create the right conditions for authentic sharing?
Ready to discover what your team is really thinking? Learn more about how LEGO® Serious Play® workshops can unlock authentic dialogue and strengthen team communication after organizational change.
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