Alone but together: flow experience and its impact on creative output in LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY®

Abstract

PurposeDo LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® (LSP) workshops result in improved experience of flow components as well as higher levels of creative output than traditional meetings (MEET)? This research studies the extent to which LSP, as a specialized material-mediated and process-oriented cocreative workshop setting, differs from MEET, a traditional workshop setting. Hypotheses for differences in individual flow components (autotelic behavior, happiness, balance), group flow components (equal participation, continuous communication) and creative output were developed and tested in a quasi-experimental comparison between LSP and MEET.Design/methodology/approachThe study was conducted with 39 practitioners in six teams from various industries. In total, 164 observations were collected during two workshops using the Experience Sampling Method. The creative output was assessed by peer evaluations of all participants, followed by structural analysis and quantitative group comparisons.FindingsThe results show that two components of individual flow experience (autotelic behavior, happiness) were significantly higher in LSP, and one of the components of group flow experience (continuous communication) was, as expected, significantly lower. Regarding creative output, the LSP teams outperformed the MEET teams. The study suggests that a process-oriented setting that includes time for individuals to independently explore their ideas using a different kind of material in the presence of other participants has a significant influence on the team result.Practical implicationsLSP can improve the components of participants' flow experience to have an impact on the creative output of teams. In cocreative settings like LSP, teams benefit from a combination of alone time and high-quality collaborative activities using boundary objects and a clear process to share their ideas.Originality/valueThis is the first quasi-experimental study with management practitioners as participants to compare LSP with a traditional and widespread workshop approach in the context of flow experience and creative output.

Training team creativity with Lego Serious Play: Upside and downside of team diversity

“…According to Primus & Jiang (2019), LSP facilitates developing novel and surprising solutions to problems. Zenk et al, 2021 conclude that LSP improves the creative team output.…”

“…Because of these factors, it is easier to achieve a 'train of thought' or 'flow' within a team, i.e. building upon each other's ideas, known as interactional synchrony (Zenk et al, 2021). Furthermore, LSP stimulates commitment to the team, resulting in active participation in the decision-making.…”

Researching Playfully? Assessing the Applicability of LEGO® Serious Play® for Researching Vulnerable Groups

“…Empirical evidence according to Primus and Sonnenburg [43] shows that in LEGO ® Serious Play ® the group flow of all participants is always associated with the flow of each individual participant. In their study on the creative outputs of LEGO ® Serious Play ® , Zenk et al [44] have shown that it is also the state of flow which dissolves existing hierarchies within groups.…”

“…Compared to other methods in qualitative research, like group discussions or focus groups, LEGO ® Serious Play ® is especially distinctive regarding the level of participation and the expected outcomes. As Zenk et al [44] have shown, LEGO ® Serious Play ® processes are highly inclusive as all participants are actively involved in sharing their knowledge, opinions, and ideas. Based on the assumption that "the answers are 'already in the room', [LEGO ® Serious Play ® ] invites participants to 'think with their hands' to build their understandings.…”

“…Furthermore, it can be integrated into group discussions to open the minds for the process. As group discussions often run the risk of being dominated by the opinions of just a few [61], LEGO ® Serious Play ® gives a voice to everyone and thus offers the opportunity to integrate all participants [44].…”