Purposeful Play

This is a innovative combination of Brené Brown's vulnerability and courage research with the LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® (LSP) methodology to have conversations through creative expression.

The Purposeful Play program provides a safe, metaphorical way for participants to explore and share experiences around vulnerability, resilience, and professional growth - key themes from Brené’s work. The tactile, playful nature of LEGO® can lower psychological barriers to discussing difficult topics. We use Brene’s BRAVING framework to guide our creative builds and conversations.

Accelerated Trust Building: LSP provides a structured container for practicing all BRAVING elements simultaneously, rather than just talking about them.

Embodied Learning: Both frameworks recognise that trust isn't just cognitive - it's felt and practiced through repeated safe interactions.

Scalable Intimacy: Together, they create ways for groups to build meaningful connection without requiring personal disclosure that might feel unsafe.

Conflict Navigation: When trust breaks down, having both the BRAVING diagnostic and LSP rebuilding tools provides a complete system for repair and moving forward.

Practical Applications

Team Development: Start with LSP trust-building exercises, then use BRAVING as the framework for processing what happened and what needs attention.

Leadership Development: Build your leadership integrity, then identify which BRAVING elements need strengthening in your real-world relationships.

Organisational Culture: Use LSP to make current trust levels visible, then BRAVING to create specific improvement strategies.

Community Engagement: LSP creates the safe container for diverse voices, while BRAVING provides the framework for maintaining that safety over time.

The magic is that LSP makes BRAVING experiential rather than just conceptual, while BRAVING gives language and structure to the trust that LSP naturally builds. They're like two halves of a complete trust-building system.

B - BRAVING: Clear expectations and honouring what's okay & not okay

LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® Connection:

• Physical boundaries through defined build times and sharing protocols

• Emotional boundaries via the "only the builder interprets their build" rule

• Process boundaries that create predictable safety (build → share → listen)

• The LEGO itself acts as a boundary object - you can share deeply while maintaining some protective distance through metaphor

R - RELIABILITY: Doing what you say you'll do consistently

LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® Connection:

• The methodology's consistent structure builds reliability - participants know what to expect

• Facilitators demonstrate reliability by following the process faithfully

• The LEGO "holds" meaning reliably - builds don't change their meaning between sessions

• Follow-through on commitments made during LSP sessions becomes concrete and visible

A - ACCOUNTABILITY: Owning mistakes and making amends

LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® Connection:

• Builds make abstract accountability concrete - "Here's my commitment in LEGO form"

• Shared builds create mutual accountability within groups

• The physical nature makes it harder to avoid or minimize commitments

• Subsequent sessions can reference earlier builds for accountability check-ins

V - VAULT: Not sharing information that's not yours to share

LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® Connection:

• The metaphorical nature allows sharing without revealing everything

• "Only the builder explains their build" protects personal interpretation

• Group agreements about confidentiality become more meaningful when stories are shared

• People can share deeply while maintaining control over what they reveal

I - INTEGRITY: Acting from your values even when it's hard

LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® Connection:

• Values clarification exercises through building make integrity tangible

• The creative process often reveals authentic values beneath surface responses

• Builds can show the gap between stated and lived values

• The playful context often bypasses defenses, revealing genuine integrity challenges

N - NON-JUDGMENT: Asking for what you need and talking about feelings without judgment

LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® Connection:

• The "there are no wrong builds" principle eliminates performance anxiety

• Abstract/metaphorical expression reduces judgment compared to direct verbal sharing

• The creative process normalizes different ways of thinking and expressing

• Witnessing others' builds builds empathy and reduces quick judgments

G - GENEROSITY: Extending the most generous interpretation possible to intentions, words, and actions

LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® Connection:

• The requirement to ask builders about their meaning (rather than assuming) builds generous interpretation

• Shared building activities require generous collaboration

• The playful context naturally encourages generous engagement

• Different building styles and approaches expand appreciation for diverse perspectives

👥 Psychological Safety:

• Ground rules that prevent personal attacks or dismissal

• Multiple ways to participate (verbal, written, building, listening)

• Acknowledgment that disagreement is expected and valuable

• Protection for vulnerable community members

🛠️ Difficult Conversations:

• Framework for "rumbling with discomfort" when addressing contentious issues

• Skills for staying curious rather than getting furious

• Tools for finding shared values beneath conflicting positions