The boss tells how small wooden figures make visible what often remains unspoken in meetings – and why exactly that changed his thinking.
I admit it: as a boss, I’m not a fan of workshops.
I like clear instructions, Excel sheets, results.
And then my team leader Lisa comes in, carrying a bag.
“Boss, today we’re doing something new.”
I sense trouble.
Colorful wooden figures – 32 pieces – tumble out of the box.
Colorful System Board Pro Figures from ideen.kollektiv, she says excitedly and slides the bag over to me.
I think: Aha. Wooden toys for adults.
She says, “We want to make structures visible.”
I say, “I see structures. On the account.”
She laughs. I don’t.
The beginning of chaos in color
Lisa distributes the figures: red, blue, green, yellow.
“Everyone picks one that fits their role.”
I reach for red – logical. Boss.
Jens takes blue, Britta green, and the intern Marie grabs yellow.
“Why yellow?” I ask.
“Because it looks pretty,” she says.
That was the moment I realized this workshop could get dangerously honest.
Each figure has a card slot where you place a card.
Then Lisa lays out cards: Responsibility, Communication, Motivation.
“Write down how you see yourselves.”
I write: “Leadership”.
Jens writes: “Overwhelmed”.
Britta writes: “Team spirit”.
Marie writes: “I actually wanted to paint”.
The team laughs. I do too. (A little.)
The system speaks
After ten minutes, our office stands as a miniature on the table:
I (red) stand far in front, alone.
The team (colorful) sticks together in a corner.
“That’s exciting,” says Lisa.
I say, “That’s unsettling.”
And then she does something unforgivable: she moves me closer to the team.
“That feels wrong,” I say.
“Exactly,” she says, “the system is wrong.”
The figures don’t speak, but they show everything.
When wood is more honest than words
I swear: These small, colorful figures taught me more about my team in 20 minutes than three years of quarterly reports.
Red wants to lead, but also to belong.
Blue wants peace, but is overlooked.
Green mediates, yellow laughs, and all together they act like a jazz band without a conductor.
Then comes the magical moment: Lisa says we should swap positions.
I go to the middle.
Jens moves forward.
Suddenly I feel… relieved.
"Boss, you look more relaxed," says Britta.
I briefly wonder if I’m allowed to keep the figure.
Colors with side effects
I never thought colors could say so much.
🔴 Red = active, leading.
🔵 Blue = reflective, calm.
🟢 Green = connecting, team spirit.
🟡 Yellow = creative, playful.
And me? I was a mix of everything – a paint box with stress pimples.
Now I see: My boss role was just one color among many.
And the board doesn’t show who’s in charge, but who’s connected.
I like it. (A little.)
The day after
I come into the office.
The figure is still there.
Jens rearranged the figures.
Me: "What’s that?"
He: "The new weekly goal."
Me: "What?"
He: "Move closer."
I nod. No PowerPoint, no meeting. Just some wooden figures – and suddenly everyone understands what to do.
From skeptic to fan
🎨 The colors (red, blue, green, yellow) are based on common communication models – but they work even without a psychology degree.
🧩 Each figure has a card slot. We put our roles in there – and our egos along with them.
💬 The system board comes from therapy and coaching. Today it’s an anti-stress tool for leaders with too many emails.
💪 The figures are made of beech wood. More stable than some boss decisions.
Conclusion – I admit it
I came in as the boss. I left as a game piece with insights.
And that was a good thing.
Because you only see how a system works when you spread it out in front of you.
Since then, I say this at every new project:
"Guys, before we discuss this – grab the figures!"
