What's the most memorable networking event you've ever attended? If you're struggling to think of one, you're probably not alone.
Most networking events follow a familiar formula. You walk into a room. You grab a name tag. Maybe you pick up a drink. Then you approach someone you've never met and ask: “So, what do you do?”
Corporate networking events aren't always much different. Instead, the question becomes: “What department are you in?” Then everyone mingles, exchanges a few business cards or LinkedIn connections, and goes home.
But did anyone actually connect? That's the question I've been thinking about through my work at Build Better Teams Consulting.
What if instead of simply creating another networking event, we created a connection experience?
That's exactly what my team and I have been experimenting with using something surprisingly simple: LEGO® minifigures.
And what I've seen has completely reinforced my belief that when we give people something to build, create, and share, conversations happen differently.
Creative Networking Ideas: How to Turn Awkward Small Talk Into Meaningful Connection
Traditional networking puts a lot of pressure on conversation. You're essentially asking two strangers to walk up to each other and immediately find something to talk about. So we fall back on the obvious questions. What do you do? What department are you in? How long have you been with the company?
At two recent events, my team and I tried something different. Instead of handing attendees only a traditional name tag, we asked them to: Build a LEGO minifigure that represents who you are. Not necessarily what you do for work. Who you are.
That one shift changed the conversations almost immediately.
At another corporate event, participants built their minifigures and attached them directly to specially designed name tags.
Suddenly, people didn't need to search for a conversation starter. It was right there.
“Why is your minifigure holding a snowboard?”
“What's with the wizard hat?”
“Oh, you picked a camera. Are you into photography?”
The minifigure was doing some of the awkward conversational heavy lifting. And people started learning things about each other they might never have discovered through traditional networking.
Why Traditional Networking Events Can Fall Flat
Connection Comes Before Collaboration
A Creative Networking Activity Using LEGO® Minifigures
Team Building Is About Knowing the Person Behind the Job Title
You probably know their title. You know what projects they're working on. Maybe you know what they order for lunch or that they leave early on Tuesdays. But do you know what motivates them?
What they're passionate about?
What talents they have outside of work?
What experiences shaped them before they joined your organization?
We often assume we know our colleagues because we spend so much time with them. But there's a difference between working with someone and knowing someone.
A simple hands-on team-building activity can create space for those stories to emerge naturally. When that happens, people begin seeing each other as more than their roles.
Why Creative Networking Activities Work
Someone would spot a camera and ask if anyone needed it. Someone would find a backpack and start talking about travel. People commented on hairstyles, accessories, hobbies, and interests.
Without realizing it, they were telling stories.
Instead of introducing themselves with: “I'm the marketing director.” They were essentially saying: “I chose this because…” Those four words can open up an entirely different kind of conversation.
A telescope might represent curiosity.
Hiking boots might represent someone's love of being outdoors.
A coffee mug could start a conversation about a favorite coffee shop.
A camera might reveal a passion for photography.
These small details give people something meaningful to ask about. That's where genuine connection can begin.
Ready to build a better team? Let's connect.
Let's brainstorm.
Let's solve this problem.
Let's create a strategic plan.
Let's innovate.
Collaboration becomes easier when people have first connected as human beings.
When I know something about you, understand your perspective, and feel comfortable around you, I'm more likely to ask for your opinion. I'm more likely to share an unfinished idea or approach you when I need help. I'm more likely to trust you.
That's why employee connection, psychological safety, and team collaboration are so closely related. When people feel comfortable, they're more likely to participate. And participation is where connection begins.
How LEGO® Serious Play® Helps People Think With Their Hands
Building slows us down.
We reflect.
We make choices.
We create something tangible.
Then we tell the story behind what we built.
I call this thinking with your hands. Sometimes people discover ideas while building that they hadn't planned to say out loud. That's incredibly valuable whether I'm facilitating a strategic planning workshop, leadership retreat, team-building session, or a lighter networking and connection experience.
The goal isn't really about LEGO bricks. It's about using a hands-on experience to help people think and communicate differently.
Create a More Engaging Networking Event
Instead of asking people to simply mingle, give them something to do together. Give them something to: Build. Create. Discuss. Share.
Create opportunities that invite curiosity rather than force small talk. You might use building materials, collaborative art, creative prompts, visual storytelling, interactive challenges, or another hands-on activity.
The specific activity matters less than the purpose behind it. You're giving people a natural reason to start talking. That's especially helpful for people who don't love traditional networking.
Instead of walking across the room and figuring out how to introduce themselves, they can begin with: “Hey, what are you building?” That's a much easier place to start.
Think Beyond the Name Tag
Ask: “How do we help the people in the room actually connect?”
Create an experience.
Give them something to build.
Give them something to share.
Give them a reason to become curious about each other.
Because a little LEGO minifigure can become much more than a toy. It can become a story, a conversation starter, a shared laugh, and maybe even the beginning of a meaningful professional relationship.
Bring a Creative Team-Building or Networking Experience to Your Organization
Through Build Better Teams Consulting, I create customized LEGO® Serious Play® workshops, interactive networking experiences, leadership retreats, strategic planning sessions, and corporate team-building events designed to help people communicate, collaborate, and connect in new ways.
Whether you want an in-depth facilitated workshop or a lighter interactive connection experience for a conference or corporate event, we can design the experience around your organization and goals.
Because the strongest teams aren't built one meeting at a time.
They're built one meaningful connection at a time.
Visit BuildBetterTeamsConsulting.com to learn more.