This is Simon
We continue in this 7th issue of the LSP Magazine, introducing the important people behind the scenes, but essential for the LSP Magazine. We’d like you to meet Simon Dutton who has also been involved with the LSP Magazine from Day 1. Simon is the one who shoots photos of typical situations that expresses the power of the LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® method. He does so on a regular basis on LinkedIn, but also creates special images for the LSP Magazine. Besides the work that is shared with everyone, he plays an important role in editing the articles, helping out with the English language.
What made you decide to contribute to the LSP Magazine?
I want to offer two answers to your question, Michel. First one, let me just say, I feel honoured to have been asked to contribute. Besides that, I feel there is a great sense of community here. Since my training with Robert Rasmussen and Per Kristiansen in 2015 and attending the annual meetings in Billund, there is that feeling of sharing. People are willing to share their expertise and their experience. I’ve also seen in many countries that people have started to invest in their local communities and share even more. So, for me, contributing to the LSP Magazine is a way of doing my sharing, giving something back to the community of LSP facilitators.
Now that we published LSP Magazine number 7, what makes you decide to continue?
Let me say to begin, I like working with ‘words’. Let me give you an example of the why from my project management days. I remember a client situation where I was responsible for collating the project reports. We did so each Friday, and that was followed on Monday when we were overwhelmed with questions and remarks. We found the reason was many project manager didn’t know how to write clear reports. It was their least favourite task of the week. They’d spend a few minutes typing their words and would never read them back to see if they made sense. To help I wrote a handbook for project managers, called: “Write, Review, Improve”. We took a group through a one-day training and worked with them to improve their reports. After two months, we no longer got those Monday morning requests for clarification. Writing for the LSP Magazine, gives me the opportunity again to work with words, reviewing those articles where English isn’t the author’s first language. The challenge here is not only looking at the grammar, but to make sure that we keep the structure and the intent of the author, even if it came from a different language or culture. Besides that, it is enjoyable, and I can manage my time well.
Any thoughts on the development of the LSP Magazine, or ideas what could be changed?
Over the past year I have seen the magazine grow, watching it develop from online to a physical copy. I feel that was a brave move and brought the magazine further forward. Have a look into the future, I’m a bit curious where you get the articles from and how to keep that up. I expect it is a huge challenge. From the articles I’ve written, as well as the Practical Guide, I feel there is the benefit of telling others, like my clients, that I have written articles for the LSP Magazine. It’s not because you expect anything back, but it gives me the opportunity to get out there and be seen and heard.
What’s next …any thoughts, critical notes?
To be honest, and I know you can take a punch, I actually feel it is a great resource. It’s interesting to read how others apply the LSP method from their perspective; and from there it brings new insights and ideas to my mind. I also see it growing and I’m curious what comes next, particularly knowing that this isn’t your day job. What would I like to add to the next issues of the LSP Magazine? Perhaps photos of situations where we show what the LSP method can contribute to improve that situation. Although I’m already posting that kind of thing on LinkedIn, we could make specials for the LSP Magazine.
Send us an email with your interest
and ideas: magazine@lspmagazine.com
LSP STORY: WE CAN FIX IT
the brick wall
Story & Pictures by Simon Dutton – Author & Editor