Thinking Differently: Resolution Ready’s facilitation approach
Structured facilitation to help teams think clearly, reflect honestly and plan practical next steps. Sessions can use LEGO® Serious Play® or other facilitation methods, depending on what will serve your goals best.
Thinking Differently is Resolution Ready’s facilitation offer. Sessions give teams space to pause, explore challenges and build shared understanding. The focus is on clarity, purposeful discussion and practical next steps, not generic team days. Some sessions use LEGO® Serious Play®. Others use different facilitation tools. We choose the method that fits the task.
Using LEGO Serious Play when it helps
One of our main tools is LEGO® Serious Play®. It is a structured facilitation method that uses guided model-building and reflection to help people explain what they think, understand each other and move conversations forward. It is a focused, facilitator-led process designed to support serious discussion, not a creative add-on.
Blending methods to meet your goals
LEGO® Serious Play® is a method we use often because it encourages equal contribution and honest reflection. We also run sessions without LEGO when another approach will work better. Sometimes we blend methods so each session fits your aims and context.
Listen
Sessions create space for people to slow down, be heard and bring their real experiences into the room. The facilitation approach supports honest contributions from all voices, not just the most confident.
Reflect
We help teams look at what is happening beneath the surface. Guided activities encourage people to think clearly, share perspectives and understand each other without defensiveness or pressure.
Structure
The session follows a clear, facilitator-led process. Models, prompts and step-by-step activities give teams a framework to explore challenges and build shared meaning without the conversation drifting.
Respond
Turning reflection into action. Thinking Differently supports teams to move from reflection to action with clarity and purpose.
Understanding what is really happening. By slowing the pace and helping people explain what they mean, the process makes it easier to see what is happening, why it matters and what needs to change.
Building shared commitment. It brings different views together without pressure, builds shared commitment and avoids the usual drift that follows a standard meeting.
Leaving with practical next steps. Sessions finish with clear, realistic actions shaped by the group and based on what people say they need.
How LEGO® Serious Play® actually works
LEGO® Serious Play® is a structured facilitation method developed through work between the LEGO Group and organisational researchers. It was created to help teams think clearly, explain difficult ideas and reach shared understanding without the pressure of a standard meeting. The focus is on thinking, reflection and shared meaning.
What a session looks like
Sessions follow a simple, accessible structure:
• short warm-ups to build confidence
• individual and group model-building
• guided reflection to explore what the models represent
• shared meaning-making to bring ideas together
• next steps shaped by the group
Why the method works
The process slows the pace just enough for people to think before they speak. It reduces hierarchy and helps quieter voices contribute. Teams leave with a clearer shared view of their challenge and what needs to happen next.
Find out more about LEGO® Serious Play®
These links offer reliable background for anyone wanting to explore the method further:
• LEGO Group overview of LEGO® Serious Play®
• The Association of Master Trainers (official global LSP community)
• The Open Source LEGO® Serious Play® website
Sessions and pricing
We offer flexible, facilitator-led sessions that can introduce the method or help you explore specific challenges.
What the sessions cover
Sessions are designed around what you need. Some teams want an introduction to the LEGO® Serious Play® method so they can understand how it works. Others use the method to explore challenges, plan next steps or reconnect as a team. These are practical, focused sessions rather than formal certification.
How sessions run
LEGO® Serious Play® works best in person, where people can build, reflect and talk together. Short online introductions are possible, but the strongest outcomes come when the group is in the same room. Sessions usually work well with groups of up to ten people. We bring all materials required for the day, and optional take-away kits can be added for participants at £10–£35 each.
Pricing
We usually work on a fixed day rate that includes all preparation and materials. As a guide for in person sessions of up to ten people:
• small charities from £500
• schools and medium organisations from £1,000
• larger organisations and local authorities from £1,500
Travel costs are agreed in advance and added separately. We start with a short, free conversation so you can outline what you need and receive a clear, tailored quote.
Pro bono support
Where a voluntary or community organisation’s aims connect closely with our own, we can offer limited pro bono or reduced-rate work. These are agreed case by case and prioritised where there is strong community benefit.
Your facilitator
Thinking Differently sessions are led by James Anderson, an experienced facilitator with a background in children’s services, community work and management. James is a certified LEGO® Serious Play® facilitator and a Chartered Manager Fellow, and he is also a member of the International Association of Facilitators and the Association of Child Protection Professionals. His facilitation style is calm, structured and reflective. He helps groups slow down, think clearly and have the conversations they often don’t have time for, with a focus on contribution from every voice and keeping people connected to what matters.
Case study: clarifying vision after organisational change
We recently worked with a small Manchester-based charity that had been through a period of change and reorganisation. The staff team and three trustees needed time away to think clearly about their direction for the next three years.
Using the LEGO® Serious Play® method, the session gave people time to think, talk openly and explain what the last few years had felt like. Individual models helped everyone set out their views without pressure, and the step-by-step group activities made it easier to bring those ideas together.
By the end of the day, the team had a shared picture of their priorities for the next three years and a clear sense of direction after a period of uncertainty.
“James created space for honest reflection and steady, focused discussion. The method helped us talk about difficult issues without defensiveness and build a shared vision we all stand behind. It was the most useful away day we’ve had.”
Chair of trustees.
FAQ
No. The method is designed for adults in professional settings and also works well with children, young people and community groups. You do not need to be creative or have prior LEGO® experience. The process is structured so everyone can contribute comfortably and at their own pace.
No. It works well for strategic planning, culture development, service improvement and multi agency work. It also works well for short focussed sessions too, such as workshops or to help structure group discussion.
Online sessions are possible, though the method is most effective in person.
Yes. We bring everything needed for the session.
Yes. Every session is designed around your aims, challenges and team needs.
We offer fixed day rates that include all preparation and materials. As a guide, sessions for small charities usually start from £500, schools and medium organisations from £1,000, and larger organisations or local authorities from £1,500. Travel is agreed separately. The first conversation is always free so you can outline what you need and get a clear, tailored quote.