In the fast-evolving world of staffing and recruitment, finding innovative ways to visualize the future and tackle industry challenges is crucial. At this year’s ASA Staffing World 2024 in Nashville, industry professionals tackled it in an unexpected way: through a hands-on LEGO Serious Play (LSP) workshop led by Jeff Rabkin, President and Creative Director of Wowza. This interactive session offered attendees a chance not only to imagine the industry’s future but to literally build it—one LEGO model at a time.
/ WHAT IS LEGO SERIOUS PLAY?
LEGO Serious Play is a facilitated methodology that encourages creative problem-solving through building. Developed by the LEGO Group, it’s designed to help participants visualize ideas, tackle challenges, and spark meaningful discussions in a way that traditional workshops don’t. Instead of a lecture format, participants actively build models that represent their thoughts and then explain their designs, bringing abstract ideas into clear focus.
Use Cases:
Team Building: LSP is often used to strengthen team dynamics by encouraging open communication and collaboration.
Strategic Planning: Organizations utilize LSP to visualize strategies and align team goals, making complex concepts more accessible.
Problem Solving: Teams can address challenges creatively, allowing for diverse viewpoints and innovative solutions.
Innovation Sessions: Companies use LSP in workshops to brainstorm new ideas and encourage out-of-the-box thinking.
Interviewing: Use Lego Serious Play to help candidates build models that represent their skills and problem-solving approaches, revealing insights into their thinking styles.
Market Research: Facilitate sessions where participants create models that visualize their needs, desires, and perceptions of products, uncovering deeper customer insights.
Team Bonding: Encourage team members to build models representing their roles or personal goals, fostering understanding and strengthening team cohesion.
Standard Operating Procedures: Have teams construct Lego models of processes to clarify and visualize SOPs, making them easier to understand, refine, and standardize.
Benefits:
Enhanced Creativity: Participants tap into their creativity, which can lead to fresh ideas and solutions.
Improved Communication: Building models encourages dialogue and helps clarify thoughts, leading to better understanding among team members.
Increased Engagement: The hands-on nature of LSP keeps participants engaged and invested in the process.
Visual Learning: Models serve as visual aids that make abstract concepts more concrete, facilitating deeper understanding.
/ Addressing the Future of Staffing and Recruitment,
BRICK BY BRICK
The models built during the workshop reflected diverse perspectives on the challenges and opportunities facing the industry. Here are some key insights shared by participants:
Embracing AI and Robotics: One participant highlighted the importance of AI in differentiating staffing companies from their competition, noting, "AI is the future and will be the key to separate yourself from the competition." Their model included wheels representing the industry's constant movement, with the structure symbolizing growth ahead and potential threats behind, such as legislation and the influence of AI.
Navigating Challenges: Another model depicted the road ahead as filled with obstacles, emphasizing resilience in the face of adversity. "The road is full of obstacles, and we will be able to survive," they shared, highlighting the necessity of adaptability in staffing.
Diversity and Expansion: A model inspired by the International Space Station illustrated the vast possibilities for growth and diversity in the staffing industry. It symbolized the expansive opportunities available to recruiters willing to explore new frontiers.
Balancing Needs: One participant focused on the delicate balance between applicants and job openings, building a model that showcased the need for equilibrium in the recruitment process. "Having applicants and no jobs or jobs and no applicants illustrates the challenges we face," they explained.
Optimism for the Future: A model representing the rebuilding of the industry was designed to convey a message of optimism. "This structure represents building our industry back up," shared one attendee, emphasizing the importance of a positive outlook.
The Journey of Growth: One insightful model portrayed a staffing company's growth journey. The base levels represented the core internal team, while a towering structure symbolized technological advancements and AI-driven improvements. "Focusing on organic SEO and leveraging social media will attract more talent and clients, driving profitability and positioning us for success," the creator remarked.
Healthcare Staffing's Future: Another participant shared their vision for the healthcare staffing industry. Their model featured a blue bridge representing the gap to success, with greenery symbolizing the rewards that await on the other side. "The people we staff are the primary ingredient in achieving success," they noted, emphasizing the importance of meeting the needs of both clients and candidates.
To capture these creative insights visually, we’ve created a collage showcasing the impressive models constructed during the workshop.
/ Insights and Takeaways
As each model was presented, several themes emerged that painted a vivid picture of the industry’s direction:
Embracing Adaptability: Many models illustrated the need for flexibility in recruitment, emphasizing that staying agile will be crucial for future success.
Balancing Technology and Human Connection: Participants recognized that while tech advancements are shaping staffing, personal engagement and relationship-building remain essential.
Fostering Inclusive Workplaces: Models reflected a strong commitment to diversity and inclusion, underscoring the industry’s dedication to creating supportive environments for all talent.
LOOKING AHEAD: Building a Brighter Future for Staffing
This LEGO Serious Play workshop provided attendees with a refreshing way to explore the future of staffing. Through building, sharing, and discussion, participants didn’t just reflect on current trends; they created a vision for the industry’s future that prioritizes adaptability, innovation, and inclusivity.
For staffing professionals facing new challenges and opportunities, creative approaches like this workshop are essential. By encouraging everyone to “build” their answers, the session underscored that the future of staffing isn’t just something to be discussed—it’s something to be actively shaped.
Let's talk to see if LEGO Serious Play can generate insights
and ideas around your important questions.