Lego Exercise
Purpose: To exercise collaboration, action, change, leadership and performance in innovative processes.
Time Frame: approx. 45 - 60 min for parts 1 & 2
Materials: a lot of LEGO bricks in different colors + lego boards to build on.
Group size: There are 12 tasks, so no more than 13 can be in a group. Split big team into these groups standing around a table with lego on it.
If you have any questions. Contact Robin
1.“LEGO-exercise” part 1
Section 1: 15 min (with additional 5 minutes offered)
There must be absolute silence from the time that you give out the assignments. No talking from that
moment on. Before assignment are given, explain what a layer is and what a piece is.
When each person receives their assignment, they must read it only to themselves in silence. If they
do not understand the task, they may ask the instructor for clarification. It is crucial that each
understands their assignment as if they don’t and proceed they may cause the entire team to
fail.
Read out:
"You are now, as a group, going to build a structure with the LEGOs in front of you. In a moment, you
will each be given a note with an assignment on it. This is your personal assignment during the
exercise. The message on the note is to be kept secret from the other members of the group."
The notes are given to the candidates. When the notes have been distributed and read by the
candidates, proceed with the next set of directions.
Print out and cut out the following assignments and pass them out to the candidates when the task is to begin. Link to Lego Print Out Document
· You are the only person allowed to build (put together pieces) in the first 3 layers of the structure.
· You are to ensure that the 3rd and 4th layers in the structure consist only of yellow pieces.
· You are to ensure that the 2nd and 6th layers of the structure are made up of exactly 8 pieces.
· You are the only one allowed to build (put pieces together) on layers 5 and 6 of the structure.
· You are to ensure that a maximum of 8 pieces are used in layers 3 and 5 of the structure.
· You are to ensure that the construction is completed as fast as possible
· You are the leader of the group.
· You are to ensure that the structure consists of, at the most, 8 layers of pieces. Should the building
stop after 8 layers, then you must ensure that the work is resumed on the layers under the 8th.
· You are to ensure that any pieces next to each other in the 1st, 6th, and 8th layers are not the same
colour.
· You are to ensure that you, and only 2 others build in layers 4 and 8.
· You are to ensure that max. 3 candidates build (put together pieces) in layers 4 and 7.
· You are to ensure that layers 2 and 5 of the structure consist only of red pieces.
To be read out:
You will now have 15 minutes to build your structure. The work will take place in complete silence. I
will let you know when there are 3 min left.
After 10 min - To be read out:
"You are still not permitted to talk to each other. Raise your hand if you think there is a saboteur in the
group. Then point out who you think is a saboteur."
(answer: This task is possible to solve and there is no saboteur in the group)
Allow an additional 5 minutes if needed to the groups.
When a group is finished: Ask them to place their hands behind their back and on the count of 3,
ask them to show on a show of fingers/hands from 0 – 10 (with 10 representing that their task is
100% complete)
If they are not all finished, then request that they support each other to complete as many tasks to a
10 finger level as possible in 5 minutes.
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Read Out
"You will now, individually, read out your assignments to the group, and explain whether or not you
completed your assignment. And then explain how you view your group’s ability to work together."
(approx. 10 min.)
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“LEGO-exercise” part 2
To read aloud:
The next assignment is for you to work on as a group.
How will you ensure good cooperation with the knowledge you’ve just gained?
You have 15 - 30 minutes for this and then that’s it for this group task. (depending on the short or
long version of reflection)
This is to be written by the group instructor on a board or flip-over:
1. What worked towards and supported us in solving the task
2. What worked against and supported us in solving the task
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Alternative Lego Excercise Ending and deepened reflection
Or you could be more specific and ask each group to answer the following Qs: This can be done after the
previous 2 questions or in place of:
"Team development is a process of becoming more of “THIS” (the positive attributes the team needs to perform)
and less of “THAT” (the negative attributes that need to be left behind). Fill in the blanks below with what you
believe are the most critical needs for developing an effective team":
To cooperate better with each other, we must be...
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To listen more effectively to each other, we must be...
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To help each other grow in self-confidence, we must be...
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To build trust in each other, we must be...
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To help each other achieve our individual and collective task, we must be...
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To make being on the BEST team a great experience for each other, we must be...
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Examples of framing this exercise to promote the need for & learning of how to:
- set the stage for problem-based solutions & how to create frames
- collaboration
- successful teamwork
- leadership & follow the ship
- communication
- participatory learning/learning by doing
- group reflection
- Lack if shared vision & understanding
- problem-solving when no one has the answer
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