Most leaders lead the way they themselves have been led, relying on outdated playbooks that prioritise detached reasoning and reductive logic – at the expense of creativity, adaptability, and shared meaning.
The result? Strategy sessions that go nowhere. Brainstorming that rehashes old ideas instead of generating new ones. And decision-making that prioritises precedent over possibility, keeping organisations stuck in the past.
Because breakthrough thinking – the kind that shifts paradigms, reshapes industries, and redefines what’s possible – isn't rational, clinical, or PowerPoint-friendly.
It’s immersive and intuitive. And it happens when leaders stop talking and start building.
At The Performance Agency, we work with leadership teams to challenge conventional thinking and predictable ways of doing, to drive real performance. One of the most powerful tools in our arsenal? LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® – a radically different way to think, align, and lead.
Strategy that sticks
CEOs and executives don’t have time for gimmicks. They need clarity. Alignment. And serious strategic traction.
LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® is not about stacking bricks – it’s about reshaping the way leadership teams engage with strategy. It transforms passive discussions into high-impact, hands-on thinking. And it allows teams to see problems differently, surface hidden insights, and co-create solutions that stick.
Recently, we ran a leadership and strategy masterclass for Schneider Electric, one of the world’s top energy and automation companies. Their challenge? Aligning a group of sharp, analytically wired engineers around a bold new vision. Traditional methods – debate, analysis, logic – had always been their go-to. But to unlock real breakthroughs, we needed something different. Not a go-to, a go-through.
THE POWER OF THINKING WITH YOUR HANDS
By externalising their thinking into tangible LEGO® models, these leaders unlocked fresh insights that had been buried in words and assumptions.
What happened next?
Old thinking patterns were disrupted. Conversations shifted from what wasn’t working to what could be possible.
Collaboration became instinctive. Leaders saw, in real time, how their individual perspectives fit into a bigger picture.
Alignment moved beyond words. Teams didn’t just talk about a shared vision – they built it. Together.
The result? A leadership team that didn’t just agree on strategy but owned it.
WHY DOES THIS WORK? (EVEN FOR THE MOST ANALYTICAL MINDS)
The most powerful leadership teams don’t just think – they sense-make, build, and create meaning together. That’s exactly what LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® unlocks.
How it changes the game:
Uncovers what’s unsaid. Leaders often struggle to articulate what’s really on their minds. This process externalises unspoken assumptions and reveals hidden barriers.
Aligns teams at speed. No more circular debates. When strategy becomes tangible, decisions become clearer, and buy-in happens faster.
Turns strategy into action. Leaders leave with more than ideas. They leave with shared meaning, a clear roadmap, and co-owned next steps.
WHY DOES IT MATTER – NOW, MORE THAN EVER?
In a VUCA world – volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous – leaders don’t just need more data. They need shared clarity, fast alignment, and the ability to navigate uncertainty with confidence.
If your leadership team is ready to stop debating and start building, let’s talk.
The future doesn’t wait. Neither should you.
INSIDE THE SHIFT: FROM TENTATIVE BUILDERS TO CONFIDENT STRATEGISTS
The Schneider Electric delegates experienced a profound shift in their approach to leadership and collaboration, said one of our facilitators, Yanai Klawansky.
“As they began constructing their individual models, initial hesitation gave way to deep engagement as each participant discovered the freedom to express complex technical and organisational concepts through the universal language of LEGO® bricks. Through the guided building process, participants externalised their different leadership approaches – from detailed, systematic builders to more experimental, abstract constructors – providing valuable insights into their diverse problem-solving styles.
When tasked with creating shared models of their future vision, the team naturally integrated these varied perspectives, developing concrete action plans that balanced technical excellence with innovative thinking. The physical nature of the models made abstract concepts tangible, allowing the group to literally point to barriers and opportunities within their organisation. By the session's end, these analytical minds had not only embraced a new way of thinking but had also created a powerful shared narrative about their collective journey and the practical steps needed to achieve their organisational goals.”
The Schneider Electric leadership and strategy masterclass was a perfect canvas to witness LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® in action, says another one of our trained in-house facilitators, Keshni Naidoo.
“The leadership team, many meeting their colleagues for the first time, embarked on this creative journey as newcomers to the LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® methodology. Through three carefully structured builds focused on bringing their organisational attributes to life, the transformative power of LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® emerged. The group, comprising both experienced LEGO® enthusiasts and complete novices, embraced our guiding principle: "Don't think, just build." Their analytical nature surfaced immediately, as each leader thoughtfully selected blocks and colours to craft their narrative, while simultaneously revealing distinct leadership styles.
As the builds progressed through each attribute, a remarkable evolution unfolded. The participants' creative confidence grew alongside their ability to articulate complex ideas through their models. The tangible nature of their creations provided a powerful medium for expression, enabling even the more reserved leader, where English was not their primary language, to share meaningful insights. Perhaps most fascinating was watching this newly formed team navigate not only unfamiliar personalities but also collaborate to construct shared meaning. Their journey from nervous individual builders to collective, confident storytellers showed the impact that LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® can have for team alignment and strategic thinking.”
LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® isn’t just a tool – it’s a leadership shift. It breaks through stale thinking, unlocks untapped potential, and aligns teams in ways traditional methods can’t. When leaders stop debating and start building, they don’t just find answers – they create them.
The future of leadership isn’t about rigid frameworks or endless discussions. It’s about engagement, action, and clarity. And that’s exactly what we help leadership teams achieve.
If your organisation is ready for breakthrough thinking that drives real results, let’s talk.