Concept Development for Impact 2019 (Day 3)-Expecting the Unexpected!
How would you feel if the idea you just created and the plans you’ve made to see it grow gets rejected, disapproved, and thrown away?
This was exactly the fear the participants felt on the 3rd day of Concept Development for Impact happening at Hotel View Bhrikuti Godawari.
On day 1, the participants were divided in 19 different groups with 3 members in each. They were assigned varying social issues, especially prominent in Nepal. Two groups were assigned the same topic yet they worked independently. Gender equality at workplace, mental health, traffic management, pollution management, etc. were some of the topics. The secondary research, key notes and guidance from the lab masters’ and coaches’ feedback helped the teams be precise and focused on the problems. Furthermore, the interview they conducted in the Godawari vicinity helped them get further insights about the issues. This entire exercise prepared them for Gate 1 presentation on Day 2. After the presentations, the groups gave feedback to other teams, to themselves, and received feedback from the lab masters and the judges in an activity known as ‘feedback circle.’
And, finally, it was the time for result announcement for Gate 1. It was clearly visible that the participants were quite anxious and concerned about whether their projects would make through. In the past two days, the participants had started to own the projects they were working on. Their fear, excitement, and anticipation were visible as many participants kept their fingers crossed.
Mr. Abhisekh Maskey (the Lab Master) made an announcement of the results based on the evaluation criteria and feedback from the judges.
The eliminated groups were immersed into the 11 groups that passed through Gate 1. The new members in the group were asked to prepare a one minute pitch on their new team’s project so far. As an observer and a coach, I felt that the participants found it challenging and interesting to deal with being eliminated and then moving into a new group.
While the teams with added members tried to brief their new members, it appeared that they were actually redefining the problem with new perspectives. They added more clarity to the cause of the problem. I, as a coach, enjoyed seeing the teams working with new found energy; not only because of the sense of competition, but also they were actually immersed in solving real problems of the community.
