Whether you're a company or an employee, making a successful transition to remote working requires organization. Working remotely isn't something you can improvise. But you don't have to completely close your doors to the unknown, to chance. Remote work can also benefit from chance encounters and the unexpected links that can be forged. Even at a distance, serendipity can have a profound impact on collaboration and creativity in a word, on innovation. When working remotely, serendipitous interactions can lead to unexpected ideas and insights. These moments of enlightenment can trigger innovation and revolutionize the way we work. The openness and flexibility of such working environments create a "place" where unconventional ideas can flourish, and why not, transform ordinary projects into revolutionary ones.
Remote working: embracing spontaneity
In the office, there was the coffee machine, the perfect place to embrace the spontaneity of unexpected conversation. In telecommuting, it's a different kettle of fish. Here, the boundaries of time and space seem to blur. In this virtual world, how do we meet? In the world of remote working, it's up to us to recreate those spaces for casual discussions, often the source of brilliant ideas and links that wouldn't have been possible otherwise. Digital communication tools make it possible. We might as well make the most of it.
Encouraging conviviality
It's up to us to encourage genuine moments of conviviality, those impromptu meetings where we discuss everything and anything, and share anecdotes. Physical distance doesn't prevent this. This creates a real sense of camaraderie and connection, despite the miles (sometimes many) that separate team members. These moments are essential for team cohesion. And that's good for both the company and the well-being of its employees.
Promoting cross-functionality
Remote working breaks down walls in the truest sense of the word. As a result, it can virtually bring together professionals from different teams who would probably never have met when working on-site. And that's just as well. In this configuration, made possible by teleworking, collaboration between professionals with diverse skills and expertise is inevitably encouraged. Of course, working with colleagues from different departments can bring new perspectives and lead to the implementation of innovative and completely unexpected solutions.
Benefit from a global network
Remote working knows no borders. For many fully remote companies, teams are international from the outset. Interacting with people from different countries and cultures broadens horizons and exposes us to new ideas. This diversity of talent also fosters inclusion, enriches the working environment and stimulates creativity. Such a working environment is both more productive and more rewarding, both collectively and individually.
Breaking down barriers
From a distance, hierarchical barriers become blurred. This means you can communicate more freely, without worrying too much about formalities. The result is that ideas can flourish, and no one is afraid to voice their opinion. Ideally, this decompartmentalization undoubtedly fosters a culture of transparency where everyone is encouraged to contribute their unique point of view.
As we can see, serendipity, the magic of finding something valuable when you least expect it, can also be deployed in the world of remote working. The best can come from the unexpected. A possibility that telecommuting, despite its distance, does not eliminate. In fact, it is quite the contrary. The openness and flexibility afforded by remote work help to create an environment where unconventional ideas can flourish.