Victor Hugo Padilla Jimenez

How does creating alebrijes encourage teams to think outside the box and innovate?

Breaking the Mold: How Alebrijes Unlock Team Innovation

Picture this: a group of coworkers huddled together, gluing brightly colored wings onto a strange creature that looks like it came from another dimension. No, it’s not a scene from a fantasy movie—it’s the magic of creating alebrijes! These vibrant, whimsical creations might look like mere art projects, but they hold the key to unlocking something truly extraordinary: innovation. Creating alebrijes encourages teams to embrace the unexpected, letting creativity soar without limits. But how does this process spark new ways of thinking? Let’s dive in!

Why Alebrijes Are More Than Just Art

Alebrijes, with their wild designs and unconventional combinations, are the perfect antidote to the mundane. When teams engage in the process of crafting these colorful creatures, they are encouraged to break away from traditional thinking. It's not about following rules—it's about imagining possibilities that don’t yet exist. Just like the artists who create them, teams are urged to think about how they can stretch boundaries, take risks, and explore the "impossible." It's a lesson that resonates beyond the project, helping individuals approach problems with fresh perspectives.

Think Outside the Box (Literally)

When designing an alebrije, there’s no such thing as a “wrong” combination. You can mix a bird with a dragon and throw in some funky colors for good measure! This encourages participants to stretch their imaginations far beyond the typical constraints of everyday work. The result? Innovation. Teams are encouraged to find creative solutions to challenges, just as they are challenged to craft something that defies the ordinary. What better way to promote innovative thinking than by creating something that doesn't follow the usual rules?

Collaboration Fuels Creativity

Creating an alebrije is rarely a solo task. It requires collaboration, and through collaboration, teams develop new ideas, learn from each other, and pool their strengths. The process becomes a perfect metaphor for problem-solving in the workplace. As everyone contributes their unique perspective, they inspire one another to come up with ideas that are completely unexpected. And just like that, the project transforms into something greater than the sum of its parts—a product of teamwork and boundless creativity.

From Alebrijes to Real-World Innovation

So, what does making an alebrije have to do with real-world innovation? Everything. The principles learned during the process—thinking outside the box, embracing creativity, and working together—are essential for any team striving to innovate. By engaging in the playful and boundary-pushing activity of alebrije-making, teams lay the foundation for a culture that encourages problem-solving, bold ideas, and creative breakthroughs that can lead to tangible success. Next time you’re faced with a challenge, channel your inner alebrije-maker and watch how your team starts to think outside the box!