Unlocking Enterprise Innovation and Fostering Critical Thinking with LEGO®
Wong Mern Yee, Joanne
Senior Executive at Singapore Business Federation
Completed Critical Thinking for Innovation in Enterprises - incorporating the LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® method course
Please share with us your professional life journey and at which point in your career did you aspire to pursue this course?
Throughout my career, I transitioned from traditional problem-solving to focusing on innovation. Recognising the value of continuous learning and professional development, I decided to pursue this programme which provided me with practical tools to facilitate innovation within my organisation which will allow us to collectively tackle complex challenges in new and creative ways. Discovering the LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® method sparked my interest in fostering creativity and developing critical thinking skills. It has equipped me with an invaluable skillset to improve problem-solving and increase overall employee engagement within my organisation.
How was your learning experience with this course?
My learning experience was highly interactive and practical through engaging discussions and hands-on exercises that fostered skill development. The programme also allowed me to work alongside peers from diverse backgrounds which further enriched the experience. Moreover, utilising real-world case studies illustrated successful innovation initiatives clearly. Other key experiences include understanding critical thinking's role in innovation, exploring LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® fundamentals, and using workshops to construct models. The application of learned concepts to real challenges under guidance enhanced my understanding. Overall, the course provided dynamic, experiential learning, and empowered me to drive innovation effectively within my organisation.
Which aspect of this course did you like the most?
One aspect of the course that I appreciate is the hands-on application of the LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® method to real-life challenges faced by enterprises. Using LEGO bricks, the experiential learning approach allows my team and I to engage in creative problem-solving and innovation exercises actively, which is both enjoyable and effective in stimulating critical thinking and idea generation. Through the analysis of these examples, we gained valuable insights into the best practices and strategies for driving innovation within enterprises, subsequently applying them to our respective organisations.
Could you share with us some interesting facets of the course you enrolled in?
The collaborative environment encouraged the exchange of ideas from varied perspectives while offering networking opportunities. Practical tools I learned during the course can be applied immediately, yielding tangible results, and contributing to my organisation’s innovation efforts. Additionally, instructors with expertise in critical thinking, innovation, and the LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® method provided valuable insights. Not forgetting, the flexibility of the programme schedule, format, and learning resources accommodated my needs and preferences – with the availability of face-to-face or in-person workshops.
What were the challenges you faced when trying to complete this course?
During the programme, I dealt with time management issues and struggled to strike a balance between the coursework and other commitments. Certain complex concepts, like the LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® method, require additional effort for comprehension and need constant motivation to be able to remain engaged throughout the course. Group dynamics also posed issues like miscommunication or conflicting schedules. Noticeably, integrating learned techniques into the work environment met resistance from sceptical colleagues or an unreceptive organisational culture. Thus, the proactive recognition and addressing of these challenges are key to maximising course benefits.