Swarming, Coworking and the Agile Workplace

Birds do it, bees do it, schools of whale-avoiding Atlantic herring do it. So do hockey teams, emergency departments, and volunteer firefighters. In social groups like these, collaborative efforts and collective decision-making happen “in the moment” and contribute significantly to survival and success. Swarms form quickly to attack a problem or opportunity, then dissipate as their members are pulled into other ad hoc groups addressing other issues. The more we learn about the human brain and about collective intelligence across the species, the clearer it becomes that physical proximity and a work environment that supports and promotes interaction are essential components of collaboration. Agility may be the single highest priority for workplaces now and in the future. Organizations needs to develop  physical places that are as open and customizable as the digital spaces they work in, but that also leverage the real value of place as a catalyst for human interaction.

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