At Flagship, we have adopted a hybrid work style that allows members to flexibly choose between working remotely and in the office. Our members are based not only in Japan but also across the globe, and our daily communication is centered on Slack. This setup enables efficient and seamless collaboration, but it also means that the opportunities to sense each other’s presence, personality, and nuances beyond the screen are limited.

That is why our quarterly offline events are so important to us. They give us the chance to gather across departments and roles, meet face-to-face, share conversations and laughter, and build trust that cannot be created online alone. At the same time, these events spark unexpected ideas born out of casual interactions. This quarter, we once again held a special event where everyone could learn, connect, and truly enjoy being together.

A New Kind of Activity with LEGO

The highlight of this event was an activity using LEGO. Not simply for play, but designed around LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY®, an internationally recognized facilitation method that we adapted into our own Flagship style.

LEGO® SERIOUS PLAY® is a workshop method where participants use LEGO bricks to express their ideas and perspectives in physical form. Rather than just stacking blocks, the key is embedding metaphors into the structures — for example, a tall tower might represent “ambition” or a complex interlocking build could symbolize “diverse perspectives coming together.”

This use of metaphor allows participants to visualize thoughts and values that may not surface in everyday business conversations. As each person explains their build, deeper understanding and new insights emerge within the team.

Starting with Towers of Self-Expression

 We began the activity by asking each individual to build a “tower” that represented themselves.

• Why did you choose this color?

• What does this shape mean to you?

Each person then shared the meaning behind their tower with their team. The room was filled with laughter and surprise — colleagues who usually seem quiet spoke passionately about their creations, and unexpected personal quirks were revealed. With LEGO as the medium, even those who might feel shy about speaking found it natural to join the conversation.

Exploring Our Values in Teams 

In the next step, each team chose one of the three flagship values as a theme and created a piece of work.

• Start with Hacker Spirit

• Be Professional

• Pay it Forward

Despite the limited time, every team discussed their ideas seriously before building. The results were strikingly diverse: some teams created refined, abstract designs; others produced humorous and playful models; still others presented stylish, visually polished builds. These variations highlighted how each team interpreted the same Value differently, providing a valuable glimpse into our collective identity.

Closing with Our Purpose: Develop Maps

The finale featured each team presenting their creations inspired by our Flagship purpose: Develop Maps.

This time, the creativity was even more unrestrained. Teams built imaginative models that visualized “Develop Maps,” ranging from expansive conceptual worlds to minimalistic yet sharply metaphorical structures. The breadth of ideas was inspiring. Freed from the constraints of daily tasks, we were able to express ourselves in bold and unconventional ways.

Discoveries Beyond Work

What stood out most was the discovery of unexpected sides of our colleagues that we would never have seen through work-related communication alone.

A teammate known for their calm demeanor built something quirky and eccentric. A usually reserved member spoke with confidence and clarity when presenting their build. These surprises sparked laughter and curiosity, deepening our appreciation for one another.

As Plato once said:

“You can discover more about a person in an hour of play than in a year of conversation.”

This event embodied that sentiment perfectly.

Valuing Play as Part of Our Culture

At Flagship, our quarterly offline events are not just a break from routine; they are an essential part of strengthening our organization. Through play and creative expression, we gain fresh insights into each other, nurture trust, and reinforce our unique culture.

We will continue to cherish these opportunities — where play meets learning — and carry the connections and inspiration we gain into our daily work. Together, we will keep moving forward with our Purpose: Develop Maps.