LEGO Challenge
The LEGO Challenge is a team-building activity where participants collaborate to build a LEGO structure, each with a secret individual assignment that introduces constraints and challenges. It fosters communication, problem-solving, and adaptability under pressure.
Use this method when you need to highlight communication breakdowns, explore leadership dynamics, and improve collaborative problem-solving skills within a team.
Solves: Poor communication leading to inefficiencies, hidden assumptions hindering progress, lack of shared understanding of goals.
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Step 1: Divide participants into groups of 5-7 and provide each group with a box of LEGO bricks. Instruct them not to touch the LEGOs yet. (5 minutes)
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Step 2: Explain the overall task: to build a structure as a team. Emphasize that each person will receive a secret assignment that they cannot reveal. (5 minutes)
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Step 3: Distribute the pre-printed individual assignments, ensuring participants understand they must keep their assignment secret. (5 minutes)
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Step 4: Start the building phase. Remind participants of the no-talking rule. Observe team dynamics and interventions. (20 minutes)
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Step 5: After the building time, have each participant guess the assignments of their teammates. Then, allow them to reveal their own assignments. (15 minutes)
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Step 6: Facilitate a debriefing session, focusing on the team's experience, communication strategies, and lessons learned. (30-60 minutes)
- Prepare the assignments in advance and ensure a good mix of conflicting and complementary instructions.
- Observe the groups closely during the building phase, noting leadership styles, communication attempts, and problem-solving approaches.
- Allow limited communication (e.g., only non-verbal cues).
- Introduce a 'saboteur' role with a destructive assignment.
- Vary the complexity of the assignments based on the group's skill level.