Legos & Leadership

"Everyone, look at the number on the back of your badge and go to the corresponding table. Time to build Legos as a team."

This little exercise is fun to watch. People either love or hate it. A hundred things to analyze about how a team works together. The problem is few people care about the outcome or the finished product. For many, their passion is never even tapped. Potentially leading us to assume they are not good team players because they have zero interest in Legos. I am one of those. Not just because I step on them, so cliché but true, rather I find them incredibly annoying, pieces everywhere.

Side note - Convinced the entire Lego storage system and sorting craze would be obsolete if Lego would just make the resealable bags. For the love of God, please do a collab with Ziplock. You’re welcome, Katie Roberts . I digress.

Spent the week diving into The Six Types of Working Geniuses” Thank you Lacy Jungman and Matt Reiners for your share. A must read. How we attempt to excel in areas because of a title is something that can zap joy. As a mom, I should say, “I love Legos and cannot wait to do this with my kids.” A title that others expect to define my strengths. My working brain and skillset are 100% misaligned with Lego creations. Now, I am learning to see it as a competency, reluctantly diving in when necessary, then retreating back to Invention and Galvanizing!

Legos and Servant Leadership (Not Team building): ?Start to TBD

*I purchased Legos with an 18+ age indicator. They told me they could do it, I believed them. I completely enabled them and invited what was coming next.

*Boxes opened; pieces dispersed…everywhere (see above point about storage receptacles). Their enthusiasm sparked. Mine diminished.

*Five minutes in, “Mom, can you come help?”?

? *To the floor I go, unsticking the pieces underneath my criss-crossed legs. I committed and chose to be present. Let’s see how this goes.

*Directions. I told both boys my personal hell would be the one having to create those direction books, piece by piece, page by page. They had never thought someone created the instructions. Someone at Lego loves this part of the work. We got a sentence into technical writing before they were bored. However, without the directions we would be toast. Thank you, Lego author! Thank you Meredith McWade Peterson for being the that person at ESL!

*Giving too much freedom and not enough oversight. “Go and do! You wanted to challenge yourself.” was my first approach. As a result, we had to undo a lot of work. Frustration had already entered the room. Attitudes changed. Enthusiasm transitioned into blaming and complaining. (P.S. Lego instruction personnel, they blamed you??) They needed me even if they thought otherwise. Better yet, they were comfortable asking for help. Trust exemplified.

*Take a break – “Blake, when I’m working on something and get stuck or frustrated, I walk away for 10 minutes and come back with a clear head. A break will work wonders." No, mom, I’m fine.” Ten minutes later he got up, fled he scene and grabbed a snack. I sat tinkering.

*To directions I consult and wave the white flag. Flipping pages backwards mistakes were found. One tiny little square upside down screwed up the entire McLaren project. What was normally a step I do not get to in their Lego world, (Dad is the real Lego Master), I found true enjoyment in the ability to course correct and keep us moving forward. They celebrated my skills. “Mom, you fixed it!” High fives all around.

*We didn’t finish the race car or poinsettia arrangement. Tenacity is not our family genius, at least in Legos (Give us a scavenger hunt and we will FINISH). YES, and...we had fun in the process. All of us stretched beyond our comfort zone.

The Point

Understanding servant leadership went a layer deeper. Joy experienced. It is possible to find joy in the things you dislike? Yep! Why? It was all about their desire for success and learning. The hour-long encounter had little to do with Legos. They were simply a tool. One of many. The next time they ask me to listen, watch, play or help with something of disinterest, I hope to recall this memory.

Maybe there is a person you cannot reach. One you contemplate if they will work on "The Team." Try connecting on something other than work and the day-to-day. You will see a new side and fervor, quickly discovering what brings them joy at work, and in life. Once you learn that nugget, dive in and get ready! This is where the magic begins.