a·gen·tic a·gil·i·ty

Why is Lego a shit idea for a Scrum Trainer - Part 1

TL;DR; Using Lego in Scrum training can undermine the seriousness of the message, create a mismatch between the training method and professional context, and risk disengaging senior participants. The playful approach may trivialize key concepts and reduce credibility with experienced professionals. Development managers should choose training tools that align with the professional environment and reinforce the importance of cultural transformation.

Published on
2 minute read
Image
https://nkdagility.com/resources/f1cWND9Wsh0
Subscribe

Debunking the Lego Approach 

Let’s unravel a common myth in Scrum training: Is using Lego as a teaching tool the ideal approach?  

Surprisingly, there’s more to consider than you might think. 🤔💡 

Dilemma: Undermining Seriousness 

One prevalent reason we abstain from using Lego in our training is that it often belittles the essence of what we’re striving to convey.  

It’s not child’s play, it’s about transforming work culture. 🚀 

A Mismatch of Medium and Message 

  • - Context Dissonance 🧩: Integrating Lego can make it strenuous to articulate the principles of an innovative, cooperative, and swift mode of operation. 

  • - Credibility at Stake 🏛️: Picture this - CEOs, those steering the ship, squatting on the floor, engrossed in assembling colorful bricks. It can paint an incongruous picture, potentially detracting from the gravity of the training. 

Why it Doesn’t Work 

  • Dilution of Importance 🌊: Lego, albeit fun, inadvertently trivializes the crux of Scrum methodologies. 

  • Engagement Overdrive ⚡: The playful nature might overshadow the transformative concepts being introduced. 

  • Perception Mismatch 👀: Senior professionals might find the approach too juvenile, leading to disengagement. 

How-to Shift the Narrative 

  • Choose Relevant Tools 🔧: Utilize training tools that resonate with the professional gravity of the participants. 

  • Maintain Contextual Balance ⚖️: Ensure the methods employed align seamlessly with the content. 

Striking the Right Chord 

While Lego can be a brilliant tool for certain educational environments, it may not strike the right chord in a Scrum training session.  

In Part 1 of this exploration, we’ve delved into how it can undermine the serious transformation we’re aiming to impart.  

Stay tuned for more insights. 🌟🔄

The first reason why we don’t use Lego in our training is that it completely undermines the importance of what it is that we’re talking about. Um, it is really, really difficult to express the ideas of this new collaborative, engaging, fast-paced way of working when you’ve got a bunch of CEOs sitting there on the floor playing with Lego.

Subscribe

Connect with Martin Hinshelwood

If you've made it this far, it's worth connecting with our principal consultant and coach, Martin Hinshelwood, for a 30-minute 'ask me anything' call.

Our Happy Clients​

We partner with businesses across diverse industries, including finance, insurance, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, technology, engineering, transportation, hospitality, entertainment, legal, government, and military sectors.​

Workday Logo

Workday

New Signature Logo

New Signature

Illumina Logo

Illumina

Schlumberger Logo

Schlumberger

CR2

Bistech Logo

Bistech

Healthgrades Logo

Healthgrades

Big Data for Humans Logo

Big Data for Humans

Ericson Logo

Ericson

Microsoft Logo

Microsoft

SuperControl Logo

SuperControl

Xceptor - Process and Data Automation Logo

Xceptor - Process and Data Automation

Slicedbread Logo

Slicedbread

Brandes Investment Partners L.P. Logo

Brandes Investment Partners L.P.

Sage Logo

Sage

Qualco Logo

Qualco

Epic Games Logo

Epic Games

Cognizant Microsoft Business Group (MBG) Logo

Cognizant Microsoft Business Group (MBG)

New Hampshire Supreme Court Logo

New Hampshire Supreme Court

Nottingham County Council Logo

Nottingham County Council

Ghana Police Service Logo

Ghana Police Service

Washington Department of Transport Logo

Washington Department of Transport

Department of Work and Pensions (UK) Logo

Department of Work and Pensions (UK)

Royal Air Force Logo

Royal Air Force

Graham & Brown Logo

Graham & Brown

New Signature Logo

New Signature

Lean SA Logo

Lean SA

YearUp.org Logo

YearUp.org

Flowmaster (a Mentor Graphics Company) Logo

Flowmaster (a Mentor Graphics Company)

Ericson Logo

Ericson