“All progress takes place outside the comfort zone.” – Michael John Bobak
Forward thinkers like Elon Musk, Arunachalam Muruganantham, and Sonam Wangchuk found unconventional solutions to pressing issues. Like them, Hari Chandana pioneered out-of-the-box ideas for social change.
As a civil servant, Chandana employed design thinking to develop cutting-edge urban solutions. Her creative process involved deep human-centricity, questioning assumptions and unconstrained brainstorming. #DesignThinking #CreativityForChange #HariChandana
For instance, Chandana identified urban dwellers’ need for open green spaces. This sparked Hyderabad’s first dedicated pet park rather than just another regular park. She also generated radical concepts like upcycled donation centers to creatively tackle civic challenges. #ThinkHuman #EmpathyBasedIdeas
Chandana continually iterates solutions by incorporating public feedback into new versions. She demonstrates that creativity is a continuous process, not a one-off event. Her innovations spotlight the power of doing, not just thinking differently. #IdeatePrototypeTest #OutOfTheBoxIdeas
We too can employ unconventional thinking for social good. Look for pressing problems around you. Observe intently and with empathy to pinpoint people’s unmet needs. Let insights, not constraints, guide your ideation. #ObserveDeeply #EmpathyOverApathy
Question assumptions and reframe the problem from diverse angles. Thinking differently requires exploring without judgment first. Avoid shutting down unconventional ideas too quickly. Build on sparks and collaborate to refine solutions. #GoWhereIdeasLead
Start small with pilot tests to garner feedback. See setbacks as learning opportunities. Iteratively evolve ideas with people at the center, not processes. Creativity requires resilience and rapid experimentation. #QuickExperiments #IterativeGrowth #SocialInnovation
Like Chandana, recognize that unconventional thinking comes alive when allied to empathy, persistence and collective action. Purposeful innovation uplifts communities. As she says, “Every challenge presents an opportunity. We just need to look at it differently.” #LookDifferently #SheInspiresUs #CreativeSocialChange
No matter how big or small an idea may seem, every idea that helps our nation develop matters.
© 2022 By Harichandana IAS. All Rights Reserved.