Beyond the ordinary

Why It Happened & What It Means

The reason we chose such a creative format wasn't just for fun — it was intentional. After HC Nr. 1 felt a little rusty and safe, we wanted to do something that would actually stick with people. And it did. The audience was genuinely engaged, laughing, invested in the outcome. Parker (2018) talks about how the best gatherings are those designed to create real connection and meaning for everyone in the room — not just the people presenting. That's exactly what our game show did. It pulled the audience in rather than just talking at them, which is something a traditional presentation rarely achieves.

The Pecha Kucha format itself also pushed us in a really useful way. When you only have a limited time and highly visual slides, you have to know your story inside out. You can't hide behind bullet points or waffle. Tjosvold et al. (2004) argue that teams develop most when they engage critically with real challenges — and preparing for this presentation was exactly that. We had to sit down as a team, be honest about what we'd actually achieved since HC Nr. 1, and figure out how to communicate it in a way that felt genuine and engaging. That process of reflection as a team was just as valuable as the presentation itself.

What this means for me personally is that I learned creativity in how you communicate is just as important as what you're communicating. I could have the best ideas in the world, but if I can't present them in a way that connects with people, they won't land. Widdowson and Barbour (2021) talk about how the biggest growth moments happen when you step outside your comfort zone and take creative risks — and this was definitely one of those moments for me.