Leading With LEGOS

I am doing some leadership development right now using LEGO® bricks as the through-line. It always amazes me that the same things that we learned as kids playing with LEGOS apply as adults and leaders. Designing intricate LEGO models requires planning. Leaders can learn to set clear goals and visualize long-term success before executing initiatives. We also need to remember, however, that Just like LEGOS can be assembled in countless ways, as effective leaders we should encourage innovation, adaptability, and creative problem-solving within their teams. I always remind groups I am working with that the finished product does not always have to look like the picture in the instructions.

This all becomes a question of what is the worst thing that can happen. We know that strong foundations are essential. So if we focus on establishing solid core values and structures that hold everything together, we should be able to experiment, learn, and build. The risk of being wrong sometimes overpowers us, keeping us from taking risks that might turn into incredible innovations or outcomes. Which leads me to another connection to LEGOS: the quality of a LEGO creation relies on our ability to imagine.

The more people we have using their imagination, the better. Combining different Lego pieces to create complex structures highlights the importance of teamwork. Leaders should foster collaboration, recognizing that diverse contributions lead to better outcomes. Have you ever noticed that, while working with LEGOS is fun by yourself, it is really fun when working with others?

Finally, building with LEGOS often requires patience and careful attention to detail. Leaders can draw inspiration to stay persistent through challenges and setbacks.

Curating Authenticity

I believe in being authentic and not a curated image. This can become a bit paradoxical or hypocritical because we all do some curation of our own image by intentionally managing how we present ourselves to others, both online and in-person. This can involve choosing specific words, attire, behaviors, and even social media content that reflect the persona we want to project. We often highlight our strengths, achievements, or certain values, while downplaying or omitting aspects that might be considered less appealing.

This curation becomes problematic when it starts to distort or hide our true self to the point where we’re not being authentic. This can lead to a disconnect between how we present ourself and who we really are, which might cause feelings of inauthenticity or even anxiety over maintaining that curated image.

It’s better to be genuine and true to ourself rather than putting on a superficial or overly polished version of who we are. It encourages embracing our real qualities, imperfections, and quirks instead of creating a carefully crafted appearance that might not fully represent our true self. This approach fosters honesty, trust, and deeper connections with others.

Being Willing To Fail Or Lose

In another episode of, House I was watching last night, the protagonist Dr. Gregory House (Hugh Laurie) told a doctor competing for a fellowship who was obsessed with playing the game and always winning that, “If you’re going to work for me you have to be willing to fail or lose.” We talk a lot about it being okay to fail forward but this was a pretty straightforward way of looking at it. It really made me think about how we can use failure to solve complex problems. The character of Dr. House often encouraged stepping back from obsession with success and instead embracing risk, learning from mistakes, and being open to different approaches.

This reminded me that fixation on winning or achieving perfection might sometimes prevent genuine growth or innovative thinking. It’s a way of emphasizing resilience and adaptability over rigidly always chasing the win or success. In the context of the show, House wanted his team members to understand that they might face situations where things don’t go perfectly, and that’s okay. We are reminded that what matters is a willingness to take risks, learn from mistakes, and not be paralyzed by fear of failure. It’s a mindset that encourages resilience, innovation, and growth, even when the stakes are high.

Our Shadow and Our Shine

In his September 1st poem in Diary of an Old Soul, George MacDonald said, “We are a shadow and a shining, we!” I love the metaphors of shadows and shining. He was highlighting the dual nature of our human existence. The “shadow” symbolizes our mortal, imperfect, and finite aspects. Shadows also represent things we repress, our limitations and struggles. The “shining” represents our divine, eternal, and luminous essence. Our true spiritual nature, potential, and where we excel is where we shine.

On September 1st, in that poem, MacDonald was encouraging us to recognize both sides of ourselves. We need to embrace the transient, imperfect parts, and the enduring, radiant spirit within ourselves. It’s an invitation to embrace our flaws while also acknowledging our inherent light and goodness, fostering humility and hope on our spiritual journeys.

Tries Are Worthless

The other night when watching episodes of, House, the protagonist Dr. Gregory House (Hugh Laurie) made a provocative comment that really made me think and still has me thinking. He said, “Tries are worthless.” To give some context, after losing a patient in a particular tough case, one of the other doctors said that at least they tried. That’s when House said, “Tries are worthless.” At first I could not get my head wrapped around the comment. I believe the show’s writers were having House suggest that simply making an attempt without purpose, effort, or proper strategy doesn’t lead to meaningful results. Alternatively, it could have been emphasizing that trying alone isn’t enough. Success requires genuine effort, learning, persistence, or the right approach. In other words, just trying is not enough.

In the show, House always solves complex medical cases using unconventional methods, experimentation, and sometimes failing multiple times before finding the right diagnosis. This really does go beyond just trying. Effort alone isn’t always enough; the way we try matters. Genuine effort, learning, and perseverance often lead to better outcomes. Trying without focus or direction may not be productive. It’s important to try intentionally and with purpose.

Sometimes, trying without reflection or adaptation can feel futile. Success often involves trying different strategies and learning from failures. The phrase challenged me to consider to always consider what I’m truly trying for, and encourages me to focus on meaningful goals rather than just effort for effort’s sake.