Byron's Babbles

Leading With LEGOS

Posted in Educational Leadership, Global Leadership, Leadership, Leadership Development, LEGO®️ by Dr. Byron L. Ernest on September 13, 2026

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.